How a Diplomatic Encounter Reflected the Balance Between Protocol and True Respect

Introduction｜When Formality Meets the Human Heart

On 27 October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in what appeared to be a moment of stately ceremony and diplomatic precision.
Yet beyond the formality of this encounter, there unfolded a subtle dialogue between two enduring human values — the form of protocol and the essence of friendship.

This was not their first meeting.
Their initial encounter in 2019, soon after the Emperor’s enthronement, had already drawn attention worldwide for its warmth and dignity.
Six years later, both leaders met again — seasoned by experience, and united by mutual respect.

As a protocol specialist, I was interviewed by Asahi Shimbun (AERA magazine) to analyse the gestures and nuances of this audience.
In this article, I aim not to evaluate, but to interpret — exploring how ritual formality and sincere humanity, when harmonised, create the truest expression of international respect.

1. The Formal Language of Protocol

Diplomatic protocol is not a theatrical display of manners.
It is a universal language of respect, developed through centuries of custom and shared understanding.

President Trump, often known for his assertive physicality, demonstrated striking restraint and sensitivity during this meeting.

• Restraint of Power: He consciously softened his trademark handshake, avoiding the assertive pull that once defined his style.
• Positioning of the Hands: He placed his hand slightly lower, allowing the Emperor’s to rest above — a delicate and deliberate sign of deference.
• Two-Hand Gesture: When His Majesty continued the handshake longer than expected, President Trump gently placed his left hand over the Emperor’s. While such a gesture might technically deviate from strict imperial protocol, its emotional sincerity was undeniable. It conveyed gratitude and human warmth — not dominance, but joy.

2. The Human Gesture — Beyond the Rulebook

Diplomatic etiquette exists to preserve dignity and distance.
Yet, when taken too rigidly, it can sometimes appear cold and mechanical.

President Trump’s approach exemplified what I describe as friendly diplomacy — the art of softening protocol through humanity without diminishing respect.

He deliberately avoided his signature red “power tie” and instead chose a yellow tie, a colour associated with optimism and goodwill.
He also adjusted his posture, sitting slightly forward, lowering his shoulders, and aligning his gaze with His Majesty’s — careful not to let his larger frame impose visually.

Such subtleties reflect an intuitive grasp of emotional intelligence in diplomacy — an awareness that presence communicates as much as words.

3. The Emperor’s Symbolic Grace — From Divinity to Dialogue

To understand the depth of this exchange, one must recall Japan’s unique imperial history.
For centuries, the Emperor was revered not as a political ruler but as a divine descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, embodying moral rather than political authority.

After World War II, the Emperor’s role transformed under Japan’s Constitution:
he became “the symbol of the State and the unity of the people.”
Though no longer divine in a theological sense, His Majesty remains the moral and cultural heart of Japan, a living representation of harmony, balance, and humility.

Both Their Majesties are fluent in English and deeply versed in cross-cultural communication.
Their quiet diplomacy — marked by grace, empathy, and intelligence — has long impressed world leaders.
It is said that President Trump himself has been genuinely moved by Their Majesties’ warmth and sincerity since their first meeting.

🌼 A Continuity of Grace — From 2019 to 2025

When President Trump first met the Emperor and Empress in 2019, it was just after the enthronement — one of the most sacred moments in Japan’s modern history.
On that occasion, both he and the First Lady displayed remarkable cultural awareness: the President wore a yellow tie, and Mrs Trump a yellow dress, clearly chosen to honour the chrysanthemum — the Imperial flower of Japan.

Such details are never incidental in diplomacy.
The gesture resonated deeply within Japan, as yellow and gold are traditionally associated with the Imperial Family and the Emperor’s throne.
This subtle symbolism was widely interpreted as an act of thoughtful respect and admiration.

Both His Majesty and Her Majesty, speaking in fluent English, received the couple with exceptional warmth and refinement.
That meeting set the tone for a relationship built on mutual goodwill — one that, in this year’s reunion, matured into something even more genuine.

Together with President Trump’s first audience with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which was equally well received,
this visit has been regarded as the most harmonious and dignified of all his engagements with Japan.

🌸 A Note on Japan’s National Flowers: The Cherry Blossom and the Chrysanthemum

Japan has no legally designated national flower, but two blossoms serve as its most recognised symbols.

The Cherry Blossom (Sakura), beloved by the people, represents the beauty and impermanence of life — the spirit of mono no aware.
It symbolises the emotional depth of the Japanese people.

The Chrysanthemum (Kiku), on the other hand, symbolises the Imperial Family and the Japanese State.
The sixteen-petalled Chrysanthemum Seal appears on official documents, passports, and the gates of the Imperial Palace.
It represents longevity, dignity, and noble restraint — virtues at the core of Japan’s national identity.

Thus, when President Trump chose the yellow chrysanthemum’s hue for his tie in both 2019 and 2025,
it was far more than aesthetic choice — it was an act of cultural diplomacy, acknowledging the deep symbolism of Japan’s Imperial tradition.

4. Harmony and Balance — The Core of Japanese Virtue

In Japan, etiquette (reigi) is not an act of submission but a discipline of balance — a mindful harmony between hearts.
The Japanese concept of wa teaches that true refinement lies not in perfection, but in acceptance and composure.

Therefore, when President Trump, during the 2025 meeting, pointed affectionately and said “Great man,”
some observers might have considered it informal.
But in essence, it was a spontaneous expression of admiration and joy.

As a cross-cultural communication specialist, I would like to clarify that in American English, the phrase “Great man” is often used as a heartfelt exclamation rather than a formal statement. It reflects emotional sincerity rather than grammatical or hierarchical precision, and in this sense, it communicates warmth and admiration rather than informality.
Rather than offense, many in Japan perceived it with understanding — a reflection of wa, the ability to embrace cultural difference with warmth.

On the AERA Article and My Intentions as an Educator

When I contributed to the Asahi Shimbun (AERA) article,
I was asked specifically to provide a professional evaluation of diplomatic protocol, not a personal critique.
The “60/100” score referenced in that piece was purely a technical assessment of procedural accuracy,
and never a judgment of diplomacy, character, or cultural intelligence.

Similarly, my remark that one gesture “should have been avoided” was not a criticism of President Trump himself.
It reflected the reality that many Japanese may misinterpret certain Western gestures due to limited cultural familiarity.

In truth, when it comes to invisible respect and the warmth of human interaction,
President Trump’s demeanour during his audiences with Their Majesties has always been exceptional.
From his symbolic gestures to his genuine composure, his conduct reflected authentic goodwill toward Japan and the Imperial Family.

As an educator, my mission is not to criticise, but to interpret —
to help international audiences appreciate the depth of Japan’s cultural spirit,
and to guide Japanese people to understand the sincerity and meaning behind other cultures’ expressions.
Through this dual understanding, we cultivate true global harmony.

5. A Diplomatic Success, Not a Failure

It would be simplistic to judge diplomacy by procedural precision alone.
What truly defines success is emotional intelligence, mutual respect, and the courage to connect as humans.

In this meeting, both leaders demonstrated those virtues.
The Emperor’s calm dignity, the President’s humility, and their shared goodwill created a scene of genuine harmony.

Had President Trump added a light bow — even the smallest inclination — it would have perfectly united form and essence,
creating an unforgettable moment in the history of modern diplomacy.
Yet even without it, this encounter stood as a model of human-centred diplomacy — where respect transcends rules.

Conclusion｜Protocol as the Bridge Between Hearts

The highest art of diplomacy lies not in perfection, but in balance.
Protocol gives structure to respect; humanity gives it meaning.
To master both is to embody presence — the harmony of intellect, empathy, and elegance.

As a Japanese educator, I believe our national pride lies not in rigidity, but in grace —
in the calm acceptance that others may act differently, yet still carry sincerity in their hearts.
That is the essence of wa, the spirit that transforms formality into friendship.

Further Reflections｜Learning the Language of Global Respect

The encounter between His Majesty the Emperor and President Trump illustrates how true diplomacy begins not with authority, but with awareness — an understanding of how form and heart must coexist in every act of international communication.

At The International Protocol and Etiquette Academy of Japan (ICPA), we teach this very principle:
how to interpret cultural nuance, express respect through behaviour, and communicate across borders with composure and authenticity.

Our internationally accredited programmes in Diplomatic Protocol, Global Etiquette, and Cross-Cultural Communication cultivate professionals who can bridge cultures with dignity and empathy.

To learn more about how ICPA develops leaders capable of embodying harmony through presence and protocol, visit:　https://icpa-in.com/

Harmony through Protocol — The Art of Global Respect.

Related Link

AERA (Asahi Shimbun Publication):
“Experts analyse President Trump’s gestures and diplomatic conduct during his second audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”
The article explores the intersection of protocol and humanity through detailed behavioural evaluation and cultural insight.
(Read the original article in Japanese → https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/268509)

✍️ Author

Mirei Cecilia Hakuba (formerly Mari Cecilia Murata)
Founding Principal, The International Protocol and Etiquette Academy of Japan (ICPA)
International Specialist in Diplomatic Protocol and Cross-Cultural Communication