History tells us that Japan is highly likely to relive its notorious militarist past if leaders like Abe are the helm. Japan's ambitions have been exposed by its attempts to blur its wartime crimes and create tensions with its neighbors. And Japan's move to "nationalize" China's Diaoyu Islands in 2012 is an apt example of its militarist designs. If the US chooses to turn a blind eye to Japan's provocative moves and keeps sending out confusing signals that Japan might take as an encouragement, Tokyo will become the destabilizing link in East Asia.

Therefore, as a country that exercises great influence on Japan and claims to safeguard peace and stability in the world, the US is obliged to take measures to drive some sense into Japanese right-wing forces instead of appearing to support their absurd policies. Even if its "rebalancing" to Asia strategy is aimed at consolidating its presence in the Asia-Pacific and containing China, the US should at least rebalance US-Japan relations to ensure that Tokyo doesn't undermine its strategy.

It is thus important that the US government abide by the following rules. First, it should stop encouraging Japan and "exploiting" its strategic value to contain China and other Asian countries. Second, the US should expose Japan's diplomatic double standard and take measures to stop its expansionist policy. Third, it should ensure that Japan uses its economic and technological advantages to contribute to, rather than thwart, the development of the region and the rest of the world.

By and large, Obama's visit to Asia, especially Japan, will have a great impact on the US' "rebalancing" to Asia strategy and the stability of East Asian. So it's time the US advised Japan to refrain from taking provocative actions against China and desisted from reaching an agreement with Japan that could jeopardize the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

The author is a professor at Chinese People's Liberation Army University of International Relations.