Under an unrelenting sun at the Imperial Palace in Japan, President Donald Trump made history and became the first world leader on Monday to meet the new emperor of Japan.
The president, who is on a four-day visit, was the center of attention at a large outdoor welcome ceremony where he made an individual walk and reviewed the Japanese troops as the guest of honor.
Trump’s “state call” opened with a greeting and a handshake with Naruhito, who ascended the throne on May 1, and his wife, Empress Masako.
When he approached the emperor, Trump said: “How are you? Thank you very much.” The first lady told the empress: “Nice to meet you.”
During the private meeting, the US president gave the emperor a US-made viola in a personalized case and a signed photo of the American composer Aaron Copland. The 1938 instrument was crafted in Charleston, West Virginia.
Following the tradition of Japanese royalty, Trump also presented the emperor with a signed and framed photo of himself.
For her part, Melania Trump presented the Empress with a personalized collection of the White House with a pen made of Harvard tree wood, where the Empress studied Economics.
Emperor Naruhito handed the President a traditional Japanese ceramic and porcelain bowl, as well as a signed and framed photo of him.
After exchanging jokes inside the palace, the couples emerged and walked to an elevated platform while playing the national anthems of both countries.
The meeting with the Japanese emperor is one of the deployments courtesy of the Japanese prime minister to entertain Trump. First was the golf course, where Trump and Abe played 16 holes with professional Japanese golfer Isao Aoki.
The two leaders also ate breakfast together, according to Japanese authorities. At noon they ate double cheeseburgers prepared with American veal.
In the end, Trump went down to the combat zone and handed over a cup topped by an eagle, and nicknamed “President’s Cup” to the winner, Asanoyama, becoming the first US president to participate in the ritual. Trump wore dark sneakers, since it was not allowed to step on the ring with shoes.
“It was striking to see these great athletes,” Trump said before his dinner at the Hibachi restaurant.
