But Trump said: “I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me.”

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 trade, Trump tweeted that “great progress” was being made but “much will wait” until after Japanese upper house elections expected in July – with rumours rife Abe might also call a snap general election at the same time.

Sunday was about cementing diplomatic bonds between the two countries through the leaders’ shared passion for golf and a chance for Trump to see one of Japan’s most famous sports – sumo.

‘THE PRESIDENT’S CUP’

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

“This is a very rare opportunity. He’s got an aura,” said spectator Masamitsu Kurokawa, 56, who works in the service industry. “He is in a different class.”

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 a specially made trophy weighing 27-32kg and measuring 1.4m that was unveiled to an audible murmur of appreciation from the audience.

This is officially known as the President’s Cup, but is already popularly known as the “Trump Cup”.

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.

Shinichiro Idehara, a 54-year-old government employee, bought a ticket after learning Trump would be going.

Idehara said “that means [Trump] has an understanding of Japanese culture and I’m happy to know that”.

Mayuko Ueda, a 22-year-old office worker, said: “It’s good to see the American leader coming to watch a national sport. I hope that helps to deepen ties.”

WAGYU AND ICE CREAM

The presidential sumo visit prompted high security, with long queues 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,” said 76-year-old Hisato Koizumi from Tokyo as he waited. “We got today’s tickets by chance. I don’t like this.”

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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 jumper and black trousers with a red USA cap. He was greeted by a casually-dressed Abe, who later tweeted a selfie of the two leaders grinning into the camera.

Aerial footage on local television showed the pair practising and putting on the manicured greens despite the unseasonably warm weather. They were accompanied by Isao Aoki, one of Japan’s most successful golfers.

The two leaders rounded out the day with a meal at a traditional Japanese grill restaurant, with wagyu beef and vanilla ice cream among the menu items.

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

“I think we had a very productive day.”