President Trump Participates in a Dinner with the Prime Minister of Japan

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Japan.

Thank you very much everybody. Please. We have a very special person with us tonight, an amazing person. Tonight I’m delighted to welcome a great friend and partner for her very first visit to the White House. We’ve become very close, so close that I endorsed her for her election. And then she did, well she got the greatest, highest number ever gotten by somebody running for the highest position in Japan, beating out a lot of our friends. And it’s a tremendous tribute. And that’s our really amazing friend, the Japanese Prime Minister, who’s going to speak in just a few minutes, but we’re very honored to have you with us tonight. Thank you.

(Japanese translation of the President's introduction)

And I want to congratulate the Prime Minister on that unbelievable all over the world they were talking about that victory in last month's election winning by numbers that as I said nobody's ever seen in Japan before.

(Japanese translation regarding the election victory)

And this was not only an amazing political achievement, it was a resounding declaration of strength and confidence, national spirit and resolve straight from the Japanese people who love you.

(Japanese translation)

And the Prime Minister's visit comes as we're just days away from the most beautiful season here in Washington, which by the way is a crime-free city just about. And we're doing a, we're very proud of that. We have done a great job and it's a very safe place that people are coming to in record numbers. And the blooming of the Japanese cherry blossom trees is something very special. For more than a century this magnificent explosion of pink and white has graced America's capital. I mean it's been something that really represents Washington so well as a living symbol of the cherished friendships between two of our world's most extraordinary nations.

(Japanese translation regarding Washington and cherry blossoms)

And this year we're honored to receive an additional 250 cherry trees and they're very big, beautiful trees from the great people of Japan in recognition of America's 250th anniversary. And they will remind every future generation of our timeless bond and they'll be planted near and around the Washington Monument and it's going to be something very special. They've already started the planting but it's 250 beautiful specimen trees and we'll get you over here, we'll check them out after they're planted. We'll get you back.

(Japanese translation)

Americans and Japanese come from opposite sides of the globe but since the earliest days of commerce between our two countries we've always recognized that despite obvious differences we share a great deal in common.

(Japanese translation)

Both of our civilizations have been defined and propelled by proud cultures deeply committed to excellence, hard work and pushing the frontiers of what is possible. That's why in every field human, I mean human endeavors from so many different sides of the planet from medicine to music, from art to engineering you find that Americans and Japanese are leading the way, always leading the way.

(Japanese translation)

The shared traits and values have transcended every trial, history, and you look no matter where you go you see this and ultimately made our nations into strong allies and very close friends. Our partnership has made both the United States and Japan stronger, freer and more successful than virtually any other nation on the planet. And under the leadership of the Prime Minister and myself I know we will soon make that partnership even stronger and better than ever before. We have that relationship and actually it started quite a while ago.

(Japanese translation)

On my visit to Tokyo last year we reached a historic trade deal that will increase our cooperation on everything from energy to semiconductors and shipbuilding and pharmaceuticals. It was a big one, one of the biggest deals ever made. The United States is also encouraged to see the steps the Prime Minister has taken to expand her country's commitment to its own security and defense and buying a lot of our defense equipment I'm happy to tell you.

(Japanese translation regarding trade and defense)

So just to close up with the commitment of the leaders and the biggest leaders in the country, some of the most successful people in the country politically and business-wise. And all of the partners in the room, the United States and Japan can be an unstoppable force for freedom, security and progress for our countries and for the entire world to look up to. So let us stand together with the strength and dignity, purpose. Let us keep our people safe, our nations prospering and our alliance flourishing for many, many generations to come. And with that I'd just like to thank the Prime Minister. This is a spectacular woman and it's an honor to have you with us at the White House. Thank you.

(Japanese translation)

(Japanese) President Trump, distinguished guests, first of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for hosting this beautiful dinner.

The Honorable President Donald J. Trump, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for hosting such a beautiful dinner for me and my delegation.

(Japanese) Donald, thank you again for your warm thoughts and friendship toward Japan.

Donald, thank you very much for your warm feelings towards Japan and your friendship.

(Japanese) I would like to offer words of celebration for two anniversaries tonight.

So tonight, I would like to start off by extending my sincere congratulations on two important anniversaries.

(Japanese) The first is Donald's son Barron's birthday tomorrow. I hear he is growing up to be a fine and handsome young man.

The first one is a birthday celebration. Donald, tomorrow is the birthday of your son, Mr. Barron Trump. And I know he has grown up so much into a very tall, good-looking gentleman. [11:43] Trump-san, Donald, it is very clear where he got it. Of course, from his parents, there's no doubt about it.

(Japanese) I would be happy if you could convey my happy birthday wishes to him.

So Donald, if I may ask you, please convey my sincere happy birthday wishes to him.

(Japanese) Second, as Donald already mentioned, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of America. On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I offer my heartfelt congratulations as America reaches this historic milestone.

The second one is the 250th anniversary of the United States as you already mentioned. The United States has long been an icon of freedom and democracy in the world and this year the United States is marking a historic milestone. And on behalf of the government and the people of Japan, I would like to extend my deepest congratulations to you and the American people.

(Japanese) And in August, I hear that the IndyCar race Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be held here in Washington D.C. at Donald's suggestion.

And I understand that in August this year, at Donald's suggestion, IndyCar race Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be held here in Washington D.C.

(Japanese) Chevrolet and Japan's Honda engines will race through that beautiful National Mall.

This race will bring roaring Chevrolet and Honda engines to the National Mall.

(Japanese) And the title sponsor of the IndyCar is Japan's NTT, truly a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship.

In addition, Japan's NTT Group has been a title sponsor of the IndyCar series. As you see, IndyCar race is a perfect, perfect example of the friendship between Japan and the United States.

(Japanese) I wish for the great success of this magnificent race.

So I do hope that you have a huge success at this racing event.

(Japanese) In Washington D.C., Japanese cherry blossoms have announced the arrival of spring for many years and embodied the history of Japan-U.S. friendship.

Speaking of our friendship, here in Washington D.C., Japanese sakura or cherry trees have long been letting us know the arrival of spring and also it has been a symbol of the history of Japan-US friendship.

(Japanese) Donald also mentioned this, but this year Japan presents 250 cherry trees to Washington D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary.

And this is also something that Donald already mentioned but I would like to reiterate. This year Japan extends a gift of additional 250 cherry trees to Washington D.C. to celebrate America 250.

(Japanese) Honestly, I wanted to bring a bouquet of cherry blossoms and say 'Donald, nice to see you again,' but I realized that U.S. quarantine is strict and I couldn't just bring flowers in.

Actually, my original plan was to bring so many cherry flowers and directly hand it to you Donald. But unfortunately, because of the very strict quarantine measures, I couldn't make this happen.

(Japanese) Strong Japan, strong America; prosperous Japan, prosperous America. I am convinced that we are the strongest buddies to realize these.

A stronger Japan and a stronger America, a more prosperous Japan and a more prosperous America. I am very confident that Donald and I are the best buddies to realize this shared goal.

(Japanese) Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had deep friendship with Donald, once spoke eloquently in this land of Washington D.C. I repeat those words here with pride and confidence.