A fascinating press conference from the standpoint of President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s united position toward the dynamic of North Korea.

It is obvious that Trump and Abe have a strategy for the next step in engagement with Chairman Kim Jong-un.  Notice how PM Abe gives prepared remarks specifically about direct talks, face-to-face talks, with Chairman Kim, facilitated by President Trump opening the door:

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Obviously President Trump trusts Prime Minister Abe as a strategic ally; and a big component of this state visit is the two leaders coordinating regional security issues. China confronted/contained, and simultaneously both partners working on the hostage rescue of Chairman Kim is incredibly consequential.

The strategic value of this state visit is much more than surface appearances.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe deliver remarks and hold a bilateral press availability prior to bilateral discussion over issues of trade and regional security with North Korea.

As the two leaders discuss matters of state, First Lady Melania Trump and Lady Akie Abe enjoy a cultural presentation (below).

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump become the first guests of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace.

Following custom there are three components to the state visit: (1) The guest arrival and formal greeting by the Emperor and Empress. (2) The ceremonial anthems of both nations and the presentation of the imperial guard.  (3) A “state call” or discussion of diplomatic matters between the Emperor, Empress and their honored guests.

During the official state call component there is an exchange of gifts. First, the arrival:

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The ‘inside palace’ greeting and introduction was not covered by international media. However, due to the significance of the visit (first of imperial era of Reiwa) it was broadcast on local Japanese media as below:

For insight to the warmth of introduction by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako this broadcast video is interesting:

Another Video of the International Feed:

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After the welcome ceremony, the president and first lady made a ‘state call‘ on the emperor and empress.

The state call is held in an Imperial Palace room with no media presence (there was a singular, brief, video). The emperor and empress both speak fluent English (attended Oxford) and during the welcome ceremony they engaged with President Trump and First Lady Melania in English to enhance comfort. They are guests.

However, during the official ‘state call‘ the Emperor and Empress are representing the imperial nation-state of Japan. As such, formality dictates conversation in Japanese and the use of translators. After the brief segment where cameras are permitted, the host and guest exchange gifts from each nation.

[POOL] The President presented the Emperor an American-made viola in a custom case and a signed photo of American composer Aaron Copland. This vintage 1938 viola was handmade in Charleston, West Virginia. The President also presented the Emperor with a signed and framed photo of the President.

The First Lady presented the Empress with a custom White House desk set featuring a pen made of Harvard tree wood. The Empress herself studied Economics at Harvard. This fountain pen was handcrafted from a red oak tree that still stands in Old Harvard Yard. The First Lady also presented the Empress with a signed and framed photo of the First Lady.

The Emperor presented the President with a traditional Japanese pottery and porcelain bowl as well as a signed and framed photo of His Majesty the Emperor.

The Empress presented the First Lady with an ornamental Japanese lacquer box with traditional design as well as a framed and signed photo of Her Majesty the Empress.

[Note: It is long-standing custom of the Imperial Palace that their Majesties the Emperor and Empress exchange signed, framed photographs with their guests on the occasion of a State Visit.]

At Akasaka Palace Melania Trump and Akie Abe will again meet, and likely go do something else, while their spouses talk business of state between the U.S. and Japan.

Later today the President and First Lady will return to the Imperial Palace for a very formal state banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

The U.S. delegation will meet the top-tier of Japanese diplomacy and commerce over a formal dinner celebration.

Tokyo Japan is 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern timezone.  As a result, much of the diplomatic activity for the formal state visit happens in the overnight hours.

Today is a very special day as the official visit includes the first formal state banquet hosted by the Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to celebrate the new imperial era of “Reiwa,” which means “beautiful harmony”. The visit is a very big honor intended to convey the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.

The President and First Lady will be meeting the Japanese majesties twice today; in the morning for a formal welcoming ceremony, and again in the evening for the first official state dinner of the Reiwa era.  Additionally, during the business part of the visit, President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are scheduled for a 2:00pm (local / 3:00am EDT) press conference after bilateral meetings.

9:15am (local) / 8:15pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart the Palace Hotel en route to Imperial Palace

9:20am (local) / 8:20pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

♦ 9:25am (local) / 8:25pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend a Welcome Ceremony at Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

♦ 9:40am (local) / 8:40pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Tokyo, Japan.

10:05am (local) / 9:05pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Imperial Palace en route to Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, Japan

10:15am (local) / 9:15pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, Japan

11:00am (local) / 10:00pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT participates in a Restricted Bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Tokyo, Japan

11:20am (local) / 10:20pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT participates in an Expanded Bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Tokyo, Japan

12:10pm (local) / 11:10pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT participates in an Expanded-Working Lunch with the Prime Minister of Japan, Tokyo, Japan

1:05pm (local) / 12:05am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a Meeting with Japanese Families of those Abducted by North Korea, Tokyo, Japan

2:00pm (local) / 1:00am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT participates in a Joint Press Conference with the Prime Minister of Japan, Tokyo, Japan

2:40pm (local) / 1:40am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Akasaka Palace en route to the Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

2:50pm (local) / 1:50am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

6:55pm (local) / 5:55am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart the Palace Hotel en route to Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

♦♦ 7:00pm (local) / 6:00am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

♦♦ 7:05pm (local) / 6:05am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the State Banquet, Tokyo, Japan

9:45pm (local) / 8:45am (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Imperial Palace en route to the Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

9:50pm (local) / 8:50am (U.S. Eastern) AM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

~ Day #2 concludes ~

♦ Denotes formal.
♦♦ Denotes VERY formal.

Ian Bremmer is a professor at New York University; a columnist with Time Magazine and has 428,000 Twitter followers. Earlier today he fabricated a Trump quote out of thin air, and thousands of followers and politicians instantly shared it:

Professor Bremmer was challenged on the quote he attributed to President Trump during his state visit to Japan. Instead of admitting he made the entire thing up, Bremmer deletes the quote and offers no apology.

To be clear, this was entirely made up. President Trump said nothing of the sort. The claim is completely fabricated and false. Yet it was shared by thousands of people before the professor and columnist decided to delete it. This is the current state of credibility within the fake news media.

President Trump and First Lady Melania attend a more casual dinner with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madame Akie Abe.  The couples were friends prior to politics and enjoy spending time together.   Dinner is at Inakaya Hibachi restaurant, Tokyo.

First Course: Japanese potato with butter; Second Course: Salad; Third Course: Grilled chicken; Fourth Course: Wagyu beef steak with broccoli and carrots; Dessert: Vanilla ice cream.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham appears on Fox News to discuss his relationship with President Trump; the upcoming declassification of documents; and the possibility of Senate committee hearings to follow the IG report on FISA abuse.

Graham gives an explanation for his change in disposition. However, his decision not to call Robert Mueller to task highlights he’s still paddling in the shallow water of the deep state…