News Discussion

Trump Meets Emperor Naruhito at Tokyo's Imperial Palace

His Majesty Emperor Naruhito met with United States President Donald Trump for about 30 minutes on the evening of October 27 at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It was their second meeting, following Trump's state visit to Japan in 2019 during his first term. Around 6:30 PM, the Emperor welcomed Trump with a smile and a handshake as he arrived by car at the palace entrance.

During the meeting, Trump said that he had built a relationship of trust with the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and that Japan–US relations had been very strong. He added that he hoped to further strengthen those ties with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The Emperor replied that he looked forward to the continued strengthening of the friendship between the two countries.

Earlier, aboard his aircraft, Trump noted the new Japanese prime minister's close relationship with former PM Abe and told reporters, "It's going to be very good. That really helps Japan and the United States.“

The Emperor also mentioned Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, expressing his pleasure that Trump held him in high regard. Trump, referring to pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, responded that while Ohtani was amazing, Yamamoto had also performed very well.

The Emperor said it was heartening that Japanese players were warmly welcomed in the US and that he was also glad to see foreign players succeed in Japan, highlighting the value of this mutual exchange.

Trump and his wife Melania previously visited Japan as state guests in May 2019. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received them at the Imperial Palace and hosted a state banquet. Fluent in English, the Imperial couple also spoke directly with the Trumps at times without interpreters, further deepening their rapport.

1. 1. imperial　皇室の、帝国の
   For a short time, the museum is presenting art from imperial Russia.
2. 2. reply　返答する、応じる
   When asked if she had ever visited Japan before, the pop star replied that she hadn’t.
3. 3. refer　言及する、触れる
   In his graduation speech, the student referred to the work of Einstein and Newton.
4. 4. previously　以前に、前に
   I previously worked for an insurance company.
5. 5. interpreter　通訳者
   Brendan spoke a little slower so that the interpreter had enough time to translate.

1. 1. What did President Trump say about former Prime Minister Abe?
2. 2. What Japanese athletes did President Trump and Emperor Naruhito discuss? What did they say about them?
3. 3. What did President Trump and his wife do on their last visit to Japan?
4. 4. What does it mean that two countries have a “close” relationship? Does that mean between the people, the governments, or both?
5. 5. What countries does Japan have a close relationship with? In what ways is each relationship close?

ペットと暮らす高齢者は多い。シニア世帯や1人暮らしにペットは癒やしと張りを与えてくれる存在だ。世話をすることで要介護リスクが低減するという研究結果もある。

一方で、病気や不意のけがなどで急に飼えなくなる場合も少なくない。「飼いたいが飼えない」といった声も聞く。

天皇陛下は10月27日夜、皇居・御所で約30分、この日来日したトランプ米大統領と会見された。ご面会はトランプ氏が国賓で来日した令和元年以来、2度目。午後6時半すぎ、陛下は車で到着したトランプ氏を御所の玄関前で出迎え、笑顔で握手を交わされた。

会見で、トランプ氏が「安倍晋三首相と信頼関係を構築し、日米関係は大変良好だった。高市新首相と日米関係をさらに強化したい」と語ると、陛下は「（日米）友好の強化に期待しています」と応じられた。

トランプ氏は大統領専用機内で記者団に対し、首相が安倍氏と近い関係だったとして「これは良いことだ。日米両国にとって有益だ」と期待感を表明していた。

また、陛下は会見で米大リーグドジャースの大谷翔平選手について「大統領が高く評価されていることがうれしい」とご言及。トランプ氏が山本由伸投手を念頭に「大谷は確かにすごいが（山本）投手もよかった」と応じると、陛下は「日本人選手が米国社会に温かく迎えられている。日本でも外国人選手が活躍し双方向交流が進んで喜ばしい」と述べられた。

トランプ氏は令和元年5月、メラニア夫人とともに国賓として来日。天皇、皇后両陛下は皇居・宮殿で夫妻と会見し、宮中晩餐（ばんさん）会を主催された。英語の堪能な両陛下は通訳を介さず夫妻と話し込む場面もあり、親交を深められた。