President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are preparing to host a lavish state dinner at the White House to celebrate the relationship between the United States and Japan. This high honor is reserved for America’s closest allies, and in this case, reflects Biden’s commitment to strengthening ties with Japan as a cornerstone of his policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. The event will welcome Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko, during their official visit to the United States.
More than 200 guests with connections to both nations will be in attendance, enjoying a menu that includes house-cured salmon, dry-aged rib eye steak, and salted caramel pistachio cake for dessert. The decor will feature a mix of round and rectangular tables adorned with a combination of flowers, including roses, peonies, and imported cherry blossoms. Glass and silk butterflies will add to the ambiance, creating a sense of walking atop a koi pond for the guests.
Following the dinner, guests will be entertained by renowned musician Paul Simon, who the First Lady personally selected as a special tribute to Prime Minister Kishida. This choice was made because the prime minister is also an admirer of Simon’s work. Simon, a legendary singer-songwriter with a career spanning six decades, is known for iconic songs and has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
State dinners are seen as a tool of U.S. diplomacy, serving as a way to honor and strengthen relationships with key allies. In the case of the U.S. and Japan, the Bidens are highlighting the flourishing partnership between the two nations. The First Lady emphasized the importance of collaboration in building a world where peace, democracy, and creation prevail over destruction and autocracy. The event is a testament to the strong bonds between the U.S. and Japan in facing global challenges together.
This state dinner marks the fifth time President Biden has hosted a world leader with such an honor, following previous dinners for counterparts from France, South Korea, India, and Australia. The choice to celebrate Japan underscores the country’s significance as a strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific region. Through events like these, the U.S. aims to showcase its commitment to strengthening partnerships and promoting cooperation on a global scale.
In addition to the musical performance by Paul Simon, guests at the state dinner will also be entertained by various musical ensembles, including “The President’s Own” Marine Band Chamber Orchestra, the Army Rolling Strings, and the Air Force Strings. The evening promises to be a celebration of the enduring friendship between the U.S. and Japan, highlighting the shared values and mutual respect that underpin the strategic alliance between the two nations.
