Tokyo - US President Donald Trump addressed around 800 troops
at a US naval base in Japan on Tuesday before ending his four-day
state visit to the country.
"I'm thrilled to be aboard USS Wasp with brave sailors and marines,"
Trump said aboard the amphibious assault ship, docked at the US
Yokosuka Naval Base, south of Tokyo.
"On this Memorial Day evening in the United States, Americans are
concluding a sacred day of remembrance, reflection and prayer," Trump
said.
"Our republic endures because of brave men and women who are willing
to lay down their lives to defend us all," the president said.
"Our freedom is earned through the blood and sweat and toil and
sacrifice of great American patriots just like you," he added.
I will be making two stops this morning in Japan to visit with our Great Military, then a quick stop in Alaska and back to D.C. Meetings with Prime Minister Abe went very well, and getting to spend time with the new Emperor and Empress of Japan was a great honor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2019
Earlier in the day, Trump, joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe, boarded Japan's helicopter carrier Kaga docked at a Japanese
base also in Yokosuka.
"Our mission is to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and to
establish a foundation for regional peace and prosperity," Abe said
in an address to 500 US and Japanese troops.
In the morning, Trump and his wife, Melania, received a last visit at
their hotel from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
The emperor told the couple that he was very happy to have been able
to host them, Kyodo News agency reported, citing palace officials.
Trump expressed his gratitude for a state banquet at the Imperial
Palace on Monday evening, hosted by the emperor and the empress,
emphasizing how he now considers them personal friends, the report
said.
Trump became the first head of state on Monday to meet the new
emperor since he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1.
As Japan rolled out the red carpet for Trump, the president, who has
been threatening to slap tariffs on Japanese cars and car parts, has
toned down his criticism of the Asian country's chronic trade deficit
with the US.
Trump and the first lady departed from Tokyo's Haneda Airport after 1
pm (0400 GMT).
"Meetings with Prime Minister Abe went very well, and getting to
spend time with the new Emperor and Empress of Japan was a great
honor!" Trump tweeted.