Trump Meets with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo

On Monday, President Donald Trump continued his Asian tour, meeting Japan’s Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This visit is part of a larger itinerary that began with the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and will wrap up at the APEC forum in South Korea later this week.

Emperor Naruhito, who took the throne in 2019 following his father Akihito’s abdication—an unprecedented event in Japan since 1817—currently stands at 65, while Empress Masako is 61. Akihito, at 91, remains alive and is considered one of the longest-serving monarchs in Japan’s history.

Since the establishment of Japan’s constitution in 1947, the emperor’s role has mostly been symbolic. While Emperor Showa renounced his divine status after World War II, the current emperor still maintains a ceremonial presence in Shinto traditions.

Although the Japanese hold the emperor’s position in high regard, there are concerns about succession, as Naruhito does not have any sons. Potential heirs include his younger brother, a young nephew, and an older uncle. Interestingly, recent public sentiment indicates that many Japanese are supportive of including women in the line of succession.

Trump’s first encounter with Naruhito took place in 2019 during a state visit, shortly after Naruhito’s accession. At that time, Trump expressed that it was a great honor to represent the U.S. in such a significant moment for Japan. Their recent meeting felt more casual, resembling a reunion between friends.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, Trump met with the emperor for approximately 30 minutes, starting at 6:30 p.m. He articulated his wish to enhance Japan-U.S. relations during a separate meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, who echoed similar sentiments.

A summary from the Imperial Household Agency noted that Trump conveyed his efforts towards resolving global conflicts since assuming office, to which the emperor expressed his sorrow over ongoing struggles worldwide and his prayers for peace.

At the meeting, they also discussed the accomplishments of Japanese athletes in the U.S., like Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Naruhito expressing gratitude for their warm reception in American society.

Prime Minister Takaichi conveyed her greetings to Trump during his visit, looking forward to fruitful discussions on solidifying their alliance. In a welcoming gesture, she shared a photo of Japanese landmarks illuminated in American flag colors.

Trump is set to meet with Takaichi for the first time. She holds the distinction of being Japan’s first female prime minister, and this will follow an address he plans to give aboard the USS George Washington, which is currently docked in Japan.