CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived on Thursday in Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory (NT), more than 75 years after Japan bombed the city during World War II.
It marks the first time that a Japanese leader has visited the city since the country carried out more than 100 air raids on Darwin, a key military port, in 1942 and 1943, killing more than 250 people.
The first attack, the bombing of Darwin on Feb. 19, 1942, remains the single largest attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australian territory.
Abe will meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, the duo's first meeting since Morrison rose to power in August.
The leaders are expected to visit the Darwin Cenotaph, a monument to Australia's servicemen and women, and pay their respects.
"Prime Minister Abe's visit is deeply symbolic and significant and it will build on our two countries' strong and enduring friendship as well as our economic, security, community and historical ties," Morrison said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
"During this visit we will also acknowledge those who served in World War II, and recognize the importance of the reconciliation that followed between our countries."
The meeting will take place before both Abe and Morrison head to Papua New Guinea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
