Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend to the throne on 1st May next year after the abdication of 84-year-old Akihito. Japan wants to show the strength of its link with the United States. The US president is already expected in the country for the G20 in Osaka, on 28-29 June 2019.
Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Japanese government is considering inviting US President Donald Trump as a state guest after Crown Prince Naruhito’s planned accession on 1st May. This would make the US leader the first foreign guest to meet with the new emperor, this according to Japanese media reports citing government sources.
Tokyo will arrange the detailed schedule of Trump’s trip with Washington, as he is also expected to visit Japan to attend the Group of 20 summit in Osaka from June 28 to 29 next year, sources said.
Japan aims to showw its strong alliance with the United States through Trump’s visit, as a state guest typically meets with the Emperor, in addition to holding talks with the prime minister.
The US leader paid a visit to Japan in November last year as an official guest, rather than a state guest. His predecessor Barack Obama was invited to Japan as a state guest in April 2014.
The 58-year-old Crown Prince will accede to the throne after Emperor Akihito, 84, abdicates on 30 April, bringing to an end the Heisei period after 31 years.
The following day, Akihito will take the title of "joko", abbreviation of "daijo tenno", sovereign in retirement. The last emperor to renounce the throne was Kokaku in 1817.