Trump's 'very big event' in Japan that he struggles to explain
By David Nakamura David Nakamura Reporter covering the White House Email Bio Follow May 24 at 11:09 AM In President Trump’s telling, the “very big event” in Japan is something he just can’t miss.
What is happening? Trump hasn’t exactly said. He noted in remarks on Thursday that it has something to do with the emperor, but he hasn’t offered any details. “It’s a very big thing,” he assured reporters. Well-wishers wave Japanese flags as Emperor Naruhito, center left, and Empress Masako, center right, make their first public appearance after ascending to the throne on May 4. But on the subject of Japan, Trump has been particularly vague. “It’s a very unusual thing,” he said during his meeting with Abe.
For Abe, the historic moment provided an opportunity to advance his tireless courting of Trump, once again playing to the president’s ego by inviting him to be the first foreign leader to meet Naruhito. Abe also is scheduled to escort Trump and first lady Melania Trump to the finale of the Grand Sumo tournament on Sunday, where they will be granted special chairs near the “dohyo,” or sumo ring. Trump plans to present a custom-made trophy nicknamed the “Trump Cup” to the winner.
Then he sort of alluded to something having to do with the emperor — “you’re talking about reigning through blood for over 3,000 years — the longest in the world” — before asking Abe to take over. Japanese officials in Washington said they have high hopes for Trump’s visit. During Trump’s first trip to Japan as president in November 2017, Abe played host to a banquet in his honor at which he invited golf legend Isao Aoki and pop star Piko Taro, whose song “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” caught the fancy of Trump’s granddaughter Arabella three years ago. Trump used a toast to poke fun at Abe’s eagerness to meet with him after he won the election in 2016.
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