27 May
Emperor Naruhito met U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday as the Japanese monarch welcomed his first state guest since ascending the throne on May 1.
"Nice to meet you," said both the emperor and the empress in English in meeting the Trumps, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
The imperial couple and the Trumps shook hands and exchanged greetings without using interpreters before walking along a red carpet in the courtyard of the palace to attend the welcoming ceremony, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie and other imperial family members also participated in.
In the outdoor ceremony, Trump and the first lady stood on a platform as the national anthems of the two countries were performed and were received with a guard of honor.
The Trumps then held a formal meeting with the imperial couple inside the palace.
Abe is also extending extra hospitality to Trump during his four-day state visit through Tuesday, which Abe has described as "historic."
Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, taking over from his father Akihito who stepped down on April 30 to end his three-decade reign. It was the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in over 200 years.
KYODO NEWS
