Tokyo confirms: Trump in Japan twice in 2019
The American president will be in the Asian country in May, for the coronation of the new emperor, and at the end of June for the G20 summit. In this way the White House rebalances the Asian allies and dilutes the fears of those who see "too much dialogue" with North Korea.
Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - US President Donald Trump will be in Japan twice, on a tight schedule, by early summer 2019, the White House confirmed this morning.
Trump had a long phone call yesterday evening with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and confirmed the dates: at the beginning of May to meet the new emperor (he will be the first foreign leader to have this honor) and at the end of June for the summit of the G20.
The current Crown Prince Naruhito will take possession of the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1st. The dignitaries and foreign leaders present will not be admitted to the formal ceremony - where only some members of the imperial family and members of the Abe government will be present - but will have the opportunity to meet the emperor soon after. Donald Trump will be the first, a decided honor to emphasize the closeness between Japan and the United States.
The confirmation of the two trips also has a high symbolic value. The liberal-democratic government of Tokyo is following the rapprochement between Washington and Pyongyang, historical adversary in the Asia-Pacific, with concern and would like to see a harsher attitude of the Americans towards the North Koreans.
Next week Trump will be in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Abe yesterday reportedly asked his US counterpart again to "press Pyongyang" to resolve the (suspended) issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea and stop threatening Tokyo with intermediate-range missile drills.
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