US President Barack Obama listens as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks on Kilo Pier overlooking the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, adjacent to Honolulu, Hawaii, Dec 27, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The two leaders stood solemnly in front of a wall inscribed with the names of those who died in the 1941 attack and they took part in a brief wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a moment of silence.

"In Remembrance, Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan" was written on one wreath and "In Remembrance, Barack Obama, President of the United States" on the other.

They then threw flower petals into the water.

After their remarks, both leaders greeted US veterans who survived the attack.

The leaders' meeting was also meant to reinforce the US-Japan partnership ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of Trump, whose opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and campaign threat to force allied countries to pay more to host US forces raised concerns among allies such as Japan.

Abe met with Trump in New York in November and called him a "trustworthy leader."