What to expect ahead of Obama’s visit to Japan

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• ALISON STEWART:

  Yesterday, visitors at the peace memorial museum in Hiroshima, examined somber reminders of the catastrophic event 71 years ago that still grips the nation today.

  On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing 140,000 people. A second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later, killing another 70,000. Japan surrendered on September second.

  Since World War II, no sitting American president has visited Hiroshima, until now.

• JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN:

  The president intends to visit to send a much more forward looking signal about his ambition for realizing the goal of a planet without nuclear weapons.

• ALISON STEWART:

  But some Japanese are already disappointed with Obama's visit. He is not expected to meet with survivors and does not plan to offer an apology.

• TOSHIKI FUJIMORI, ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVOR:

  Many atomic bomb survivors don't think it's okay to not apologize.

• ALISON STEWART:

  On Thursday in Tokyo, members of a survivors group demanded an apology. In addition to injuries and radiation sickness, many of the estimated 180,000 survivors have faced discrimination in employment and marriage.

• TERUMI TANAKA, ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVOR:

  I think an apology is needed for the real victims who suffered. But not all survivors agree.

• CHISAKO TAKEOKA, ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVOR:

  If he comes here and sees what a horrible thing the atomic bomb is, I think that's enough.

• ALISON STEWART:

  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said no apology is necessary and Obama's historic visit will achieve another goal.

• SHINZO ABE, PRIME MINISTER, JAPAN:

  I believe that by visiting Hiroshima, understanding the reality of radiation exposure there, and voicing his opinions there, president Obama is going to provide a strong push for achieving a world devoid of nuclear weapons.

• ALISON STEWART:

  Abe is expected to accompany president Obama on during the Hiroshima visit on Friday.