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President of the United States, Donald Trump, became the first foreign leader to meet the newly-enthroned Japanese emperor in Japan, during a state visit overshadowed by tensions over trade and commerce. North Korean politics.
Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted Mr. Trump on Monday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as part of an official welcoming ceremony broadcast live on national television.
Later Monday, the US President and his wife, Melania Trump, will sit down for a sumptuous state dinner with the Emperor and Empress.
Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1, opening what is known as the era of "Reiwa" or "beautiful harmony".
Trump is also scheduled to hold formal discussions with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the two men spent the weekend playing golf, eating out and watching sumo. They will talk to the press later on Monday.
"We have the feeling that it's another sign of good relations between these two countries, but in particular a sign of Trump's relationship with Abe," Wayne said. Hay of Al Jazeera, coming from Tokyo.
"They have the feeling that they could have given this meeting to anyone, but they did not do it.They gave it to the United States, they did it. gave to Trump. "
Abe and Trump played golf at Mobara Country Club this weekend [Japan’s Cabinet Public Relations Office via Kyodo/via Reuters]
differences
The demonstration of friendship is intended to demonstrate the strength of the alliance between the United States and Japan despite political disagreements over trade and North Korea.
Trump has threatened to target Japanese automakers with high tariffs as part of an effort to reduce trade surpluses with other countries.
Washington estimates that surpluses are a sign that the United States has been abused in trade – a theme Trump picked up after landing in Tokyo on Saturday, promising to to make the relationship between the world's largest and third economies what he described as "a little more fair".
Negotiations are underway on a bilateral trade agreement, but Trump said he was not expecting major progress until July, when Abe faced 39, election of the upper house of Parliament.
Trump waged an expensive trade war with China, a major conflict that affected world markets and baffled US allies, including Japan and the European Union.
Washington's allies, although they share the US concerns about Chinese practices, disagree with Trump's tactic of threatening tariffs on their products rather than seeking cooperation to stand up to Beijing.
In addition to trade, Abe and Trump are expected to discuss North Korea and Iran.
Trump said Sunday that he was not worried about the recent launch of a missile by North Korea. This put him at odds with his own national security advisor, John Bolton, who said on Saturday that Pyongyang's recent short-range missile tests were against United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan shares Bolton's point of view.
Also on Monday, Trump will meet families of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea decades ago. Abe urged the US president to raise the issue in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump is in Japan for a four-day state visit and is expected to address troops at an American base in the country on Tuesday.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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