In Japan, a parade of pomp for Trump, but Rodrigo Duterte and other world leaders will have to wait

Rolling out the imperial treatment can be a winning diplomatic tool, but the pecking order for visiting dignitaries is sometimes tricky to manage for Japan

Experts say Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may be hoping to use the emperor to strengthen ties with allies

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito attend a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:02pm, 28 May 2019Updated: 10:26pm, 28 May 2019

Japanese pomp and ceremony were on full display during US President Donald Trump’s trip to the country this week, but other foreign leaders will have to join the queue for such a lavish imperial reception.

Within hours of Trump leaving Japan on Tuesday after a state visit, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte landed in Tokyo – although his arrival was far more low-key and he will not be following in the American leader’s footsteps by meeting the new emperor.

The outspoken Philippine president is to deliver a speech at a two-day conference starting on Thursday examining the future of Asia.

Duterte is also expected to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on bilateral trade and security ties, but the red carpet has not been rolled out to nearly the same extent as for Trump’s visit.

Empress Masako with Donald Trump at Monday’s state dinner. Photo: Kyodo

“President Trump was a state guest, meaning he was a guest of the emperor and empress during his time in Japan, and that is why he and the first lady visited the Imperial Palace during their stay here,” a spokesman for the foreign ministry said. “Mr Duterte is not here as a state guest and is here to attend a privately arranged conference.”

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