KYODO NEWS - May 28, 2019 - 12:40 | All, Japan

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Tuesday visited a Tokyo hotel and bid farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, who have been visiting Japan as state guests.

The Trumps have been staying at the hotel since their arrival in Japan on Saturday as the first foreign guests of the imperial couple since the emperor ascended the throne May 1.



(Photo courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)

The emperor said he was very happy to have been able to host the president and his wife, while Trump expressed his gratitude for a banquet held by the imperial couple the previous night, emphasizing how he now considers them personal friends, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

The informal chat, which the empress also participated in, lasted around 20 minutes and was very relaxed, the agency added.

It is customary for Japan's emperor and empress to greet state guests on the last day of their stay in the country.

The Trumps met with the emperor and the empress on Monday before the U.S. leader held a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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