have bilateral meetings with prime minister abe where the two are expected to discuss pressing issues for both sides which include trade as well as defense. but a senior administration official tried to temper expectations for this trip saying it is really more about ceremony than substance. pamela brown, cnn, tokyo. >> and now ivan watson live for us. the president just arrived. the trip said to be more about ceremony than substance. how important would you say this is for gentleman can pan? >> reporter: well, the u.s. is japan's most important ally. and that is certainly on the security front. this country hosts close to 50,000 u.s. troops. and though a senior administration official has said that this would be focusing on ceremony, the security questions which largely circle around