Trump's Japan visit to focus on personal ties, not substance

President Donald Trump will be treated to an imperial banquet, a round of golf and a ringside view of a sumo match during his state visit to Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe focuses on personal ties rather than substantive results on trade, security or North Korea.

The schedule for the US leader this weekend is full of hospitality and entertainment. Trump and Abe will play a round of golf their fifth Sunday, joined by professional golfer Isao Aoki, whom the president has praised. Then the two leaders and their wives will watch sumo together in the evening before a restaurant dinner.

Trump and first lady Melania will be invited to a French dinner at the palace Monday hosted by Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat. Trump will be the first foreign leader to be Naruhito's guest since his May 1 succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Trump and Abe are to discuss trade, North Korea, security and possibly space cooperation at Monday's summit, but no significant outcome is expected and a joint statement may not be issued, Japanese officials said.

Trump's visit comes a month after Abe's trip to Washington and they will meet again in June when Japan hosts a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, the trio of meetings in three months underscoring a closer-than-ever relationship between the leaders.

"The main theme is building on the close personal ties between the two leaders to demonstrate the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship, not only to the national interest of the two countries but to the region as a whole," said Nicholas Szechenyi, a Japan expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"The symbolism behind this trip is all about suggesting that the US is going to maintain its commitment to allies in Asia and its interest in Asia."