Trump downplays North Korea threat on Japan visit

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Sunday downplayed recent Nort h Korean missile launches as he teed off a state visit to Japan with a round of golf and a trip to the sumo with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Before his official schedule began, Tr ump t weeted t hat Nort h Korea had tested “some small weapons” that had “disturbed some of my people, and ot hers, but not me”.

This appeared to be a reference to US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who said on Saturday there was “no doubt” the launches had contravened UN Security Council resolutions.

But Tr ump sa id : “I have conf idence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me.”

The US president maintains that North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has pledged he is serious about denuclearisation, although experts say there is still a wide gulf between the two sides over what that means.

Trump and Abe’s talks are expected to touch on tensions with Pyongyang, which have mounted after a summit in February in Hanoi collapsed without an agreement, and trade negotiations as Tokyo and Washington attempt to thrash out a deal.

On t rade, Tr u mp t weeted t hat “great progress” was being made but “much wil l wait” unti l a f ter Japanese upper house elections expected i n Ju l y – w it h r u mours r i f e Abe might a lso ca ll a snap genera l election at t he same time.

The serious diplomacy sta rts on Monday, when Tr ump will be t he f irst foreign leader to meet Japan’s new emperor, Nar uhito, who has b e en on t he C h r y s a nt hemu m Throne for less than a month following his fat her’s historic abdication.

Su nday was about cement i ng d iplomat ic bonds bet ween t he two countries through the leaders’ sha re d pa s sion for gol f a nd a cha nce for Tr ump to see one of Japan’s most famous sports – sumo.

Trump entered the hallowed Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium to loud cheers – and a few scattered boos – with spectators standing to take photos as the US president waved and smiled.

He and his wife Melania, accompanied by Abe and his wife Akie, sat in special seats a few rows from the sumo ring.

Front-row seats at t he sumo a re

usually on the floor, but the two couples were given modified seats with backs, and were ringed by security personnel.

Trump looked serious as he listened to explanations from Abe and others around him about the bouts between the sport’s top wrestlers.

The US leader then presented tournament winner, Japanese wrestler Asanoyama, with the “President’s Cup,” a specially made trophy weighing 27-32 kilograms and measuring 1.4 metres that was unveiled to an audible murmur of appreciation from the audience.

A set of wooden steps leading up to the raised “dohyo” sumo ring were installed for Abe and Trump to walk up, with both leaders donning shiny black slippers to enter the space, which is considered sacred.

Trump read in English from a scroll, offering Asanoyama the cup “in honour of your outstanding achievement”, before lifting the massive trophy with the help of a sumo official and presenting it to the wrestler with an enormous grin.

The presidential sumo visit prompted high security, with long lines forming at metal detectors in the blazing heat before the tournament kicked off.

“I thought we would see some level of tight security. But I didn’t realise that it was going to be this much,” 76-year-old Hisato Koizumi from Tokyo said as he waited.

“We got today’s tickets by chance. I don’t like this.”

Miyo Hirase, 80, called the measures “overkill.”

“It’s a pain. There aren’t so many bad people in Japan,” she said.

Excitable fans were also warned against throwing their seat cushions – as tradition dictates whenever a yokozuna or grand champion is felled – lest the president be hit.

After the sumo, self-employed Masamitsu Kurokawa, 56, said Trump had an “aura” and was “in a different class”.

Earlier, Trump and Abe kicked off the visit with a round of golf – the fifth time the leaders have played together.

Trump arrived at the course outside Tokyo by helicopter, sporting a red sweater and black trousers with a red USA cap. He was greeted by a casuallydressed Abe, who later tweeted a selfie of the two leaders grinning into the camera.

Footage on local television showed the pair putting on the greens despite the warm weather. They were accompanied by Isao Aoki, one of Japan’s most successful golfers.

Trump said he and Abe had discussed “trade and military and various other things”.