File Photo: Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (R) and his wife Crown Princess Masako wave as they see Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (not pictured) off at Tokyo's Haneda airport Nov. 30, 2013. (Xinhua/REUTERS)
WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will travel to Japan at the end of May as the country's first state guests to meet the newly enthroned emperor, the White House said late Thursday.
"The President and First Lady will also travel to Japan from May 25 to 28, 2019, as the country's first state guests following the enthronement of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on May 1, 2019," a statement said.
U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on April 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)
During the visit, Trump will also have a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to "deepen the close bonds between the American and Japanese people," it added.
The White House also noted that Abe would first pay a visit to Washington on April 26-27 to discuss with his hosts recent developments regarding the Korean Peninsula, trade and other issues.
The U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting, known as "2+2" talks, will kick off here on Friday.
The two countries' senior officials will discuss their coordination on the evolving regional security environment including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and enhancement of the alliance's capabilities and the continued realignment of U.S. armed forces in Japan.
