President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden are hosting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife, Kishida Yuko, for a meticulously planned official state visit at the White House. The visit will highlight the strong alliance between the United States and Japan, with a focus on American and Japanese cultures. The event will feature music by Paul Simon and cherry blossom branches, symbolizing the friendship between the two nations.
The Bidens welcomed the prime minister and his wife with a casual dinner at a local seafood restaurant. The official state visit will formally begin with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, including a military review, national anthem performances, and remarks from both heads of state. The leaders will then hold bilateral meetings before a joint news conference in the afternoon. The day will culminate in a glitzy black-tie dinner for 230 guests, featuring a menu blending American and Japanese flavors.
First lady Dr. Jill Biden played a significant role in planning the evening’s menu, working closely with White House chefs to create dishes inspired by both cuisines. The dinner will feature a colorful first course, a main course of dry-aged ribeye steak, and a dessert course complementing the color scheme. Wines from the Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley will be served with the meal. The décor for the evening celebrates spring and the US-Japan relationship, with cherry blossoms as a key symbol throughout the design.
Guests will dine in an East Room “garden” filled with floral arrangements and cherry blossom branches, with a color scheme of pink and green. The fan motif will be prominent in the décor, symbolizing the beginning of life and the paths our lives can take. The evening will feature a post-dinner performance by Paul Simon, who will perform a selection of his iconic songs for guests. The attention to diplomatic detail was evident in the official gift exchange, with the Bidens presenting handcrafted gifts to their counterparts.
This state visit will mark the fifth time the Biden administration has hosted a state dinner, following visits from the leaders of Australia, India, France, and South Korea. The event underscores the importance of the US-Japan alliance and the shared values between the two countries. President Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy and efforts to counterweight China are central to his foreign policy agenda, as the world faces challenges such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The official state visit is a moment to celebrate the partnership between the United States and Japan and the enduring friendship between the two nations.
