Trump, Japanese Emperor pledge to boost cooperation

Tokyo  :   The US and Japan on Monday pledged to continue and expand cooperation during a state dinner hosted by newly-crowned Japanese Emperor Naruhito in honour of American President Donald Trump during the latter's official visit to the Asian country.

The dinner, hosted at the Imperial Palace by Emperor Naruhito at the end of a day full of political meetings for Trump, was also attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and around 180 other guests. The men were dressed in tuxedos and the women were wearing gala dresses or striking kimonos, Efe news reported.

At the beginning of the banquet, both Naruhito and Trump toasted the cooperation between the two allies. 

"I sincerely hope that... the peoples of our two countries will continue to contribute to peace and prosperity in the world to bring about a future filled with hope, all the while further expanding the scope of our cooperation and deepening our unwavering bond," Naruhito said, according to state broadcaster NHK. 

Trump, wearing an unfastened tuxedo, said he was carrying the American people's expectations for the treasured bilateral alliance. 

"We embrace the limitless potential now before us: to cooperate on new frontiers of technology, space, infrastructure, defence, commerce, diplomacy and many other areas of shared promise," said the US leader.

The other invitees included the top political leaders of the country and members of the royal family. 

The French-inspired menu at the banquet included Consommé a la Royale, Turbot a la Meunière Sauce Tomate, Cote de Boeuf Rotie, Salade de Saison, Glacé Mont Fuji and a dessert of melon and grapes. 

The state dinner marked the end of the day's agenda for Trump, who had arrived on Saturday as the first foreign leader to be received by Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne on May 1 after the abdication of his father, Akihito. 

Trump is set to conclude his Japan visit on Tuesday after commemorating American military personnel who died in service at a US military base south of Tokyo and visiting a Japanese helicopter carrier.