Praise, Nobel nominations and promises of foreign investment in the US - Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Trump in turn had warm praise for Takaichi, telling her that the US would be there for anything you want, any favours you need, anything… to help Japan.
The two leaders signed a critical mineral earths deal, as well as a document heralding a new golden age of US-Japan relations which reiterated the commitment of the two countries to implement deals struck earlier, including the 15% tariff deal negotiated earlier this year.
The pageantry and the venue also seemed tailor-made for the US president.
A full military guard of honour and band welcomed Trump to the ornate Akasaka Palace, with its vaulted ceilings and gold-encrusted walls not unlike what the president wants in his planned White House ballroom.
Over lunch, which a White House readout described as American rice and American beef, deliciously made with Japanese ingredients, Trump congratulated Takaichi for becoming Japan's first female prime minister.
Takaichi also accompanied Trump aboard a US aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, where they were greeted by thousands of cheering American troops. Takaichi took the stage and praised what she called the greatest alliance in the world and pledged to increase defence spending.
Trump has in the past criticised Japan's lack of defence spending. In April this year, Trump had criticised a security treaty with Japan as one sided, saying: We pay billions of dollars to defend them, but they don't pay anything.
Ahead of their meeting on Wednesday, Trump said he was sure that he would have a fantastic relationship with Takaichi who had a strong connection with former PM Shinzo Abe, a Trump favourite.
Trump is spending a week in Asia, and will leave Japan for South Korea on Wednesday. He is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping there on Thursday.
The meeting with Trump was seen as a critical early test for Takaichi, who was elected as prime minister by Japanese lawmakers earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Takaichi described Trump as a partner in a new golden era, and praised his role in bringing peace to the Middle East. She announced that Japan would be nominating him for the Nobel peace prize.
Takaichi also presented Trump with a collection of golf-related gifts, according to Trump's assistant Margo Martin. In turn, Trump described her as a close friend and described the US alliance with Japan as a beautiful friendship that was born out of the ashes of a terrible war.
However, behind the smiles and the pageantry, there is real pressure on Japan. Trump wants more access to Japan's markets — especially cars, agriculture, and tech. Tokyo is heavily reliant on exports, and cannot afford a tariff fight especially when it comes to its auto industry.
During the working lunch, Takaichi presented Trump with a map showing the investments that Japanese companies have made in the US, including plans for Toyota to invest $10 billion into building plants across the US. But Takaichi needs to protect domestic industries and doesn't want to anger crucial interest groups at home, like the powerful farming lobby.
