U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Imperial Palace on Oct. 27 for an audience with Emperor Naruhito for the first time in six years. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Imperial Palace on Oct. 27 (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

In their first meeting in six years, Emperor Naruhito and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged pleasantries on Japan-U.S. friendship and Japanese players in Major League Baseball, and discussed conflicts around the world.

When he left the Imperial Palace after an approximately 30-minute meeting on the evening of Oct. 27, a smiling Trump hailed Naruhito, who was standing beside him at the entrance, as a “great man” to reporters.

Trump arrived at the palace in the presidential limousine around 6:30 p.m., shortly after he landed in Tokyo as part of his Asian tour. Naruhito greeted him at the entrance, shook hands and exchanged cordial greetings in English.

In the meeting, Trump said he had built a very strong relationship of trust with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his first term and expressed his desire to further strengthen Japan-U.S. relations under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Naruhito said he hopes Trump’s visit will further deepen the friendship between their respective nations.

Trump went on to say that he has resolved eight conflicts worldwide in the eight months since returning to office. He added that he believes the achievements in the Middle East are significant although the situation there posed extremely difficult challenges.

“My heart aches over the continuing conflicts in various parts of the world,” Naruhito said. “I sincerely hope peace will come to these regions.”

Naruhito mentioned Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying he was very pleased to hear of Trump’s high praise for the player.

In response, Trump said the pitcher in a recent game was also excellent, apparently referring to Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a complete-game victory against the Blue Jays in World Series Game 2 on Oct. 25.

Naruhito expressed his gratitude, noting that Japanese ballplayers are being “warmly welcomed” by American teams and by society at large.

This was the emperor’s first meeting with Trump since May 2019, when he hosted the U.S. president as a state guest during his first administration.

Toward the end of the meeting, Trump said Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, are welcome to visit the White House at any time, adding that he hopes they will meet again sooner than waiting another six years.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the meeting took place in the small drawing room at the Imperial Residence, with interpreters present.

In 2019, the emperor received Trump as the first state guest following his accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Naruhito and Masako welcomed the U.S. president and the first lady, Melania, at a welcome ceremony and a state banquet at the Imperial Palace.

Trump also visited the Imperial Palace with the first lady in November 2017 during his first trip to Japan, meeting with the then Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who are now the emperor emeritus and empress emerita.