US President Donald Trump was received by Japan's Emperor Naruhito on Monday in a lavish ceremony ahead of his scheduled meeting with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday. The visit is part of his five-day tour of Asia, which he hopes to conclude with a trade deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Donald Trump was welcomed by Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace PHOTO: X /@GeopolitixM
Wearing a blue suit and gold tie, Trump was cheered upon his arrival in Tokyo. Before going to the Imperial Palace, the president raised his fist in the air several times in a gesture of victory as his helicopter flew over the Japanese capital. Several iconic buildings in Tokyo were lit up in red, white and blue, the colors of the American flag, Reuters reports.
At the Imperial Palace, Trump was greeted by Emperor Naruhito, with whom he shook hands and posed for official photos. Security measures were stepped up: thousands of police patrolled the streets of Tokyo after a knife-wielding man was arrested outside the US embassy, and an anti-Trump demonstration was planned in the Shinjuku district.
Video source: X/ @GeopolitixM
Trump was the first foreign leader received by Naruhito after his ascension to the throne in 2019. The emperor's role is symbolic, and the real stake of the visit was to be outlined on Tuesday, at the meeting with the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, at the Akasaka Palace – the same place where Trump met, six years ago, with the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan's first female prime minister, between trade and strategy
Tuesday's meeting with Sanae Takaichi, the first woman in Japan's history to become prime minister, is of major importance. The talks will focus on trade and regional security, just a week after Takaichi pledged to strengthen the country's military.
Video source: X/ @ToddRegelski
According to sources cited by Reuters, Takaichi was to present to Trump a US investment package of 550 billion dollars, which includes shipbuilding and increased purchases of American soybeans, gas and trucks.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his Japanese counterpart Ryosei Akazawa, the architects of the July tariff deal, recently discussed possible investments in power grids over a sushi lunch in Tokyo.
According to Japanese station NTV, Takaichi allegedly intended to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, “following the example of other world leaders who have recommended him for the award he has long desired“.
Such gestures could temper possible calls by the US president for Japan to increase its defense spending, although Takaichi has already announced that it will reach 2 percent of GDP to counter pressure from China.
“A very strong handshake”
“It's a very strong handshakeTrump joked to the cameras as he posed with Takaichi at Akasaka Palace. The two were seen discussing the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a close confidant of both leaders.He was a great friend of mine and a great friend of yours”Trump told the new prime minister.
Video source: X /@infoconnectnow
As a token of appreciation, Takaichi was to present the US president with one of Abe's golf clubs, symbolizing the friendship between Trump and the former Japanese leader.
That diplomatic rapprochement could be crucial for Takaichi, whose coalition government has a fragile majority in Parliament. The support of a powerful ally like the US could strengthen its domestic political position.
Military visits and trade plans
After the official meeting, Trump and Takaichi are scheduled to visit the US naval base Yokosuka, located near Tokyo, where the aircraft carrier USS George Washington is located. Later, Trump will hold talks with American and Japanese businessmen before leaving for South Korea on Wednesday.
There, the US president will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, hoping to strike a trade truce between the world's two largest economies.
Trump's longest Asian tour
The current tour is the longest that Donald Trump has made abroad since his return to the White House. In the first phase, in Malaysia, he announced several economic and critical mineral agreements with Southeast Asian states.
Washington and Beijing also agreed on a framework agreement to suspend additional US tariffs and reduce China's controls on rare metal exports, news that sent Asian stock markets to record highs.
“I have a lot of respect for President Xi and I think we will reach an agreement”Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One before landing in Tokyo.
Still, neither side expects major progress to return trade relations to pre-Trump levels.
