President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife, Kishida Yuko, for an official state visit aimed at emphasizing the strong alliance between the United States and Japan. The visit will feature a full display of pomp and circumstance, including a military review, national anthem performances, and bilateral meetings. The Bidens welcomed the prime minister and his wife with a casual dinner at a local seafood restaurant before the official events kicked off the following day with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.
The White House has meticulously planned every detail of the state visit, from the menu to the décor, to celebrate the friendship between the two countries. A focus on blending American and Japanese flavors will be showcased in the meal, which includes dishes like house-cured salmon with avocado and shishito pepper buttered ribeye steak. The evening’s décor will highlight spring and cherry blossoms, with guests dining in an East Room “garden” filled with floral arrangements and cherry blossom branches. The event will feature wines from the Pacific Northwest and a performance by musician Paul Simon.
The first lady played a significant role in designing the evening’s menu and décor, ensuring that every detail reflected the themes of friendship and spring. Guests will enjoy a dessert course featuring salted caramel pistachio cake and matcha ganache, complemented by cherry ice cream and raspberry drizzle. The table settings will include custom place cards and menus designed by the White House calligraphers’ office, as well as china from the George W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson collections. The fan motif will be incorporated into the décor as a symbol of the beginning of life and the many paths one can take.
The state visit will also include an official gift exchange, with the Bidens presenting the Japanese prime minister with a three-legged black walnut table handmade by a Japanese American owned company in Pennsylvania. In return, the president gifted a custom framed lithograph and a two-volume LP set autographed by Billy Joel, along with a vintage vinyl record collection. The first lady gifted Kishida Yuko a painting of a cherry tree they planted together and an autographed soccer ball signed by the US Women’s National Soccer Team and the Japanese Women’s National Football Team. This visit marks the fifth state dinner hosted by the Biden administration, following previous visits from the leaders of Australia, India, France, and South Korea.
The attention to diplomatic detail and celebration of the US-Japan relationship will be evident throughout the state visit, culminating in a performance by Paul Simon and a symbolic floral design featuring cherry blossoms. The evening’s décor will include a vinyl floor covering that mimics a koi pond in the Cross Hall and light pink velvet chairs in the East Room “garden.” The menu, décor, and gift exchange all reflect the importance of the alliance between the United States and Japan, emphasizing themes of friendship, creation over destruction, and democracy over autocracy. The event serves as a showcase of the strong bond and partnership between the two countries and highlights the values they share.
