Trump visits Japan: US President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are visiting Tokyo, the first state visit of a foreign leader in the country’s Reiwa era.
What’s on the agenda: Trump will likely discuss trade and North Korea when he meets with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Some context: The state visit will provide an altogether more pleasant vibe than in Washington, where talk of impeachment is now rampant and Trump is seething at Democrats’ investigations into his administration.
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Key takeaways from Trump's meeting with Abe
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have wrapped up their bilateral talks and press conference.
Here are the key things to come out of it.
On Japan:
Japan agreed to buy 105 F-35 stealth planes from the US. Trump said: “(They’re) stealth because the fact is you can’t see them.”
Trump said there was a huge trade imbalance with Japan, but added that the two countries were working on a trade deal.
Japan and the US will collaborate on sending astronauts to space. “We’ll be going to the moon,” Trump said.
On North Korea:
Trump said North Korea had enormous potential: “It’s all waterfront property, it’s a great location as we used to say in the real estate business.”
Trump said he wasn’t worried about the North Korean missile tests and added that they didn’t violate UN resolutions, despite his national security adviser John Bolton saying just days ago that there was “no doubt” the tests were a violation.
Trump agreed with North Korea that former Vice President and current presidential candidate Joe Biden is a “low IQ individual.”
On Iran:
Trump said he wasn’t looking for a regime change in Iran – instead, he wanted to see no nuclear weapons.
On China:
Trump said the US wasn’t ready to make a trade deal with China, but added that he believed there will be a deal in the future.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prior to their working luncheon at the Akasaka guesthouse in Tokyo on May 27, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshikazu Tsuno - Pool/Getty Images
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North Korean missile tests didn't violate UN resolutions: Trump
By CNN's Kaitlan Collins
US President Donald Trump told reporters during a press conference in Tokyo that he did not think the latest North Korean missile tests violated United Nations (UN) resolutions.
“My people think it could have been a violation,” Trump said. “I view it differently.” The President said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could be a man “who wants to get attention.”
He noted that there had been no nuclear tests and no long-range missiles had been fired.
When Trump said “my people” he was probably referring to his national security adviser, John Bolton, who just days ago said “there is no doubt” the tests violated the UN resolutions, a sentiment shared by the Japanese government.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives at the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on April 24, 2019.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
It’s a question that White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has refused to address on the television show “Meet the Press.”
She said: “He still feels good about the relationship he has and about Chairman Kim’s commitment he made to the President.”
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President Trump sides with North Korea on Biden, calling him a "low IQ individual"
President Donald Trump has sided with Kim Jong Un in his attacks of former Vice President Joe Biden.
Last week, North Korean state media called Biden an “imbecile.”
During the press conference in Tokyo Monday, Trump claimed that Biden is a “low IQ individual,” adding that Kim is “probably right about that.”
Democratic presidential candidate, former US Vice President Joe Biden, speaks during a campaign kickoff rally, May 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
“Kim Jong Un made a statement that Joe Biden is a low IQ individual. He probably is, based on his record. I think I agree with him on that,” Trump said.
Trump added that Biden and former President Obama were “basically a disaster,” citing the Iran deal specifically.
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Trump "not looking for regime change" in Iran
Kevin Liptak
US President Donald Trump made his most definitive statement to date that he’s not looking to oust Iran’s clerical leadership, instead insisting the country could have a bright future with its current leaders.
“We’re not looking for regime change. I want to make that clear,” Trump said during the news conference in Tokyo. “We’re looking for no nuclear weapons.”
Trump’s Iran policy came under scrutiny after he deployed US troops to the Middle East in an attempt to dissuade provocative behavior by Tehran.
Some of Trump’s advisers – in particular, national security adviser John Bolton – advocated for regime change in Iran before they joined the administration.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on September 26, 2018.
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
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Japan agrees to purchase warplanes from the US
Japan has agreed to buy 105 F-35 stealth planes from the US, US President Donald Trump said during the press conference.
Trump said Japan was one of the biggest purchasers of American defense equipment last year.
“(They’re) stealth because the fact is you can’t see them,” he added.
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US "not ready" to make a trade deal with China: Trump
A China-US trade deal will happen – but not just yet, US President Donald Trump said.
“We’re not ready to make a deal,” Trump said in Tokyo, before offering a glimmer of hope.
“I think we will have a deal with China sometime into the future,” Trump added.
However, the US leader noted that US farmers were behind him – despite evidence otherwise – in his decision to raise tariffs on China.
“I don’t believe that China can continue to pay these hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs,” Trump said. “I think that there’s a very good chance that the US and China will have a very good trade deal.”
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Trump not worried about North Korea missile tests
When asked point blank if he was bothered by North Korean missile tests tests, US President Donald Trump replied simply: “I’m not. I personally am not.”
“I’m not in a rush,” he added. “Tremendous sanctions (are) being put on the country of North Korea.”
Trump said he thinks Kim is “looking to create a nation that has great strength economically,” but added that “with nuclear that’s never going to happen.”
He said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un understood that the country had enormous potential.
“It’s all waterfront property, it’s a great location as we used to say in the real estate business.”
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrive at their working luncheon on May 27, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshikazu Tsuno - Pool/Getty Images
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We will have a deal with Japan, Trump says
The US will have trade deals with Japan and China in the future, US President Donald Trump said.
“We have an unbelievably large trade imbalance,” he said of the trade relationship with Japan. “I think we will have a deal with Japan, likewise I think we will have a deal with China.”
Trump added that the Chinese government was subsidizing a lot of industry – and he didn’t believe it could continue.
“Businesses are leaving China, by the hundreds, by the thousands,” he said, adding that businesses would come to the US to avoid paying tariffs.
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"We'll be going to the moon:" Trump says Japan and US to work together on space missions
Japan and the US are planning to collaborate on space missions sending astronauts to the Moon and Mars, US President Donald Trump said after bilateral talks Monday.
“We’ll be going to the moon. We’ll be going to mars very soon,” Trump said. “From a military standpoint, there is nothing more important right now than space,” he added.
As well as joining forces on human space travel, Trump said the two countries wanted to improve their economic relationship, adding that they were working on a bilateral trade agreement.
He said they hoped to announce more on trade “very, very soon.”
Trump said the trip had been a chance for him to strengthen his friendship with Abe. He also discussed the sumo tournament he went to Sunday.
“I’ve always wanted to see a sumo tournament, and they are bigger and stronger than I ever thought,” Trump said.
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Trump and Abe discussed economic relations, North Korea during their talk
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump discussed North Korea, economic relations and the stability of the Indo-Pacific region during their bilateral talk Monday.
Abe said that he was “completely on the same page” as the US leader on the issue of Japanese people who had been abducted by North Korea. The Japanese Prime Minister said he planned to have a discussion in “complete candor” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about this in the future.
The US and Japan will work together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, Abe said.
“Going forward we will work hand in hand,” he said.
Abe also expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to the President and first lady Melania Trump for visiting Japan.
“I will continue to collaborate closely with President Trump,” he said.
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Trump tells Japanese families of those abducted by North Korea: "We will ... bring your relatives home"
US President Donald Trump promised to bring home abducted Japanese citizens from North Korea, while meeting with relatives of some of the abductees in Tokyo.
The US leader met with the families of Japanese abductees after lunching with Shinzo Abe, telling them that he’ll work with the Japanese Prime Minister to bring their loved ones home.
“We will be working together to bring your relatives home,” Trump told the families.
“He loves this country, he loves you,” he said of Abe.
Trump said their stories were “very sad” and noted that he was hearing some of their accounts for the second time. “I can see why your great Prime Minister feels so strongly about it,” he said.
“I can also tell you for certain that it is the Prime Minister’s primary goal,” Trump said, adding that Abe has discussed the topic at every meeting they have had.
According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council, hundreds of South Koreans, Japanese and other foreign nationals were kidnapped by North Korea at the end of the Korean War in 1953.
Tokyo’s Foreign Ministry regards the abductions as “a critical issue concerning the sovereignty of Japan and the lives and safety of Japanese citizens” – and one that precludes any normalization of relations with Pyongyang until it is resolved.
Some of the family members held framed pictures of their relatives in their lap Monday as they thanked President Trump for taking an interest in the issue.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are accompanied by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting with families who have had relatives abducted by North Korea, at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2019.
Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP
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Trump and Japan's new Emperor swap signed photos of themselves
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito swapped gifts – including signed, framed pictures of themselves.
Trump gave Emperor Naruhito a vintage 1938 viola along with the photograph, while Melania Trump gave empress Masako a White House desk set and a signed, framed photo of herself, according to White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere.
The Emperor and empress returned the favor, giving the President and first lady signed, framed photos of themselves, too.
It’s a long-standing tradition of the Imperial Palace that the Emperor and empress exchange signed, framed photos during a state visit.
Emperor Naruhito also gave Trump traditional Japanese pottery and a porcelain bowl, while empress Masako gave Melania Trump an ornamental Japanese lacquer box.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave after meeting Emperor Naruhito (obscured) and empress Masako at the Imperial Palace on May 27, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan.
Carl Court - Pool/Getty Images
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Trump and Abe set to hold press conference
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold a press conference following their bilateral meeting.
Before heading into the meeting, Trump answered a question about Japan’s close relationship with Iran.
“I know for a fact that the Prime Minster is very close with the leadership of Iran and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “Nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me.”
Trump recently announced that his administration would send 1,500 troops to the Middle East amid rising tensions between the two regions.
Japan and Iran have close ties. Japan has a longstanding relationship with Iran and was opposed to the US pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal that was negotiated by former President Barack Obama.
US President Donald Trump, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Akasaka Palace on May 27, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.
Pool/Getty Images
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Trump awards "President's Cup" to sumo champion
From Allie Malloy and Ivan Watson
President Donald Trump awarded the “President’s Cup” to sumo champion Asanoyama in Tokyo following a 15-day tournament.
Trump made brief remarks before handing the 4.5 foot trophy over to the winner.
Trump said the cup was in honor of Asanoyama’s “outstanding achievement” at the sumo grand championship.
“I herby award you the United States President’s Cup,” Trump said to loud applause.
Trump also shared photos of the event in a tweet.
“Tonight in Tokyo, Japan at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan Stadium, it was my great honor to present the first-ever U.S. President’s Cup to Sumo Grand Champion Asanoyama. Congratulations! A great time had by all, thank you @AbeShinzo!!” the tweet reads.
When asked how it felt to be awarded the Cup, Asanoyama said “I was overjoyed, almost too much to say in words.”
Asanoyama had clinched the championship on Saturday, but still competed in front of Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Irish expatriate sports columnist and former amateur sumo wrestler John Gunning told CNN that Asanoyama’s win is a huge upset.
“To win a tournament just over three years after reaching the highest division is a great accomplishment, it’s a huge shock, its something you don’t normally see,” Gunning said.
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Our live coverage of President Trump’s visit to Japan has ended for the day, but will resume on Sunday. Scroll through the posts below to read more or follow CNN.com.
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Trump arrives in Japan with his Asia policy in tatters, to Abe's benefit
Analysis by CNN's James Griffiths
Shinzo Abe’s long game is paying off. Only a year ago, the Japanese Prime Minister was looking like the odd one out as US President Donald Trump cozied up to China’s Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Now, with Trump in Japan on Saturday for a four-day visit, Abe can justifiably say “I told you so.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Traits that last year left him out of step with Washington – his hawkishness on North Korea and a testy relationship with Beijing – now look more attractive, with Trump facing renewed challenges from Pyongyang and seeking a counterbalance to China amid a rapidly worsening trade war.
Earthquake shakes Tokyo shortly before Trump arrives
From CNN's Kevin Liptak and Junko Ogura
An earthquake shook parts of the region around Tokyo just ahead of President Trump’s arrival to Japan on Saturday.
The epicenter was in Chiba, 48 miles south of Tokyo, according to the information from Japan’s meteorological agency.
That’s next to the town, Mobara city, where Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are due to play golf on Sunday.
The quake could be felt in Tokyo, where buildings shook. But there was no tsunami threat, and no readily visible damage.
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Trump blames Federal Reserve for preventing economic growth
From CNN's Kevin Liptak
President Trump returned to a reliable frustration – the Federal Reserve – during remarks Saturday in Tokyo.
US President Donald Trump (C) speaks during a meeting with business leaders in Tokyo.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Lamenting the body’s decision to raise interest rates, Trump said the stock market would have been substantially higher had they kept rates steady.
The stock market, he said, would be anywhere 7,000 to 10,000 points higher. He also said the US growth rate would have exceeded 3%.
“But they wanted to raise interest rates,” he said. “You’ll explain that to me.”
The Federal Reserve raised rates after economic data showed a strong US economy. They have since signaled they will keep rates steady.
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President Trump optimistic for US-Japan trade deal
From CNN's Kevin Liptak
President Trump says he’s working to instill “fairness and reciprocity” in US-Japan trade as he negotiates a new bilateral agreement with Tokyo.
He said negotiators were “hard at work” on the trade talks, which he initiated after withdrawing from the twelve-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.
“Japan has had a substantial edge for many, many years but that’s ok,” Trump said during remarks with Japanese business leaders in Tokyo. “We’ll get it a little bit more fair.”
In a new trade deal, Trump said he hoped to “address the trade imbalance” and “remove barriers to US exports.”
“We’re getting closer,” Trump said.
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Japan orders large amount of military equipment from the US, Trump says
President Donald Trump says Japan is ordering a large amount of military equipment from the US.
“We make the best equipment in the world – the best jets, missiles, the best rockets, the best everything,” he said. “So Japan is doing very large orders and we appreciate that.”
“It’s probably appropriate for everything going on,” Trump added. “The world is changing.”
