Donald Trump is being lined up to present a trophy to the winner of a sumo tournament during his trip to Japan next month.
Officials are planning to invite the US president to watch the “Summer Basho” wrestling event in Tokyo with prime minister Shinzo Abe.
However security concerns may mean moving Mr Trump away from the VIP seats around the ring to a safer vantage point on the second floor.
“Some people may throw seat cushions,” a Japanese government source told the Japan Times. “It is very hard to guard.”
One plan involves Mr Abe and Mr Trump watching the final day of the tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sporting arena on 26 May.
The two leaders would then enter the sumo ring together to present a trophy to the winner.
During his three-day visit to Japan, Mr Trump is due to become the first world leader to meet the new emperor. Crown Prince Naruhito is due to ascend to the throne on 1 May following his father Akihito’s abdication.
The president’s schedule will also see him playing golf with Mr Abe, who has forged a close relationship with Mr Trump.
When the Republicans lost control of Congress in the November mid-terms, the Japanese prime minister congratulated him on a “historic victory”.
Mr Trump also claimed that Mr Abe had nominated him for a Nobel Prize.
The US president is due to return to Japan again in June for the G20 summit in Osaka. One of the aims of Japan’s presidency is to “exert strong leadership in discussions aimed towards resolving global issues such as climate change and ocean plastic waste.”
