Tokyo’s top three landmarks lit in U.S. flag colors to welcome President Trump
Tokyo’s skyline was illuminated in the colors of the American flag on Monday to mark the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump.
This is President Trump’s first official visit to Japan since beginning his second term in office.
Three of the city’s most prominent structures: the Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Skytree, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, were all lit up in a special red, white, and blue color scheme as a “Star-Spangled Banner-style welcome” for the U.S. delegation.
While the gesture was intended as a warm welcome, special illuminations for state visits and global events are a common practice for the city.
This is not the first time the landmarks have changed their colors for a U.S. President; the Tokyo Tower was similarly lit in red, white, and blue for President Barack Obama’s visit in 2014.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has also used its facade to show solidarity with other nations, such as when it was lit in the colors of the Ukrainian flag in 2022, or to show Japanese cultural works such as Pac-Man.
The Tokyo Skytree, in particular, frequently changes its lighting for various events, including popular collaborations with anime franchises like Pokémon, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the three buildings will display the special colors again on Tuesday evening.
The lights are scheduled to run from 5:30 PM until midnight at both the Tokyo Tower and the Skytree.
President Trump is scheduled to depart on Wednesday, at which point the towers will revert to their standard lighting, with the Skytree set to begin its “Moonlight Halloween/Smile Pumpkin” pattern.
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