PHOTOS: Imagination and Opulence to Meet in White House State Dinner for Japan (SEE MENU & GUEST LIST)
Preview the menu to see how the Bidens dine with dignitaries! Al photos by Mona Austin
By Mona Austin
(TSN): President Joe Biden and the First Lady of the Dr. Jill Biden will host His Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan and Mrs. Kishida Yuko in an extravagant State Dinner on April 10. The White House social secretaries have conceptualized a decor theme for the Japanese State Dinner with an eye for elegance. Giant fans in the backdrop, a koi fish pond inspired floor and hints of cherry blossom branches as center pieces are incorporated for a dramatic transformation of the East Wing.
Guests will be greeted by a level of opulence intended to recreate the feeling of Japan in Springtime Mrs. Biden, whose office was in charge of coordinating the said at a preview of the gala affair.
Six to eight weeks in the making the dinner is one of the biggest undertakings in the First Lady's role. Biden told reporters on Tuesday, that the goal of the Japan State Dinner is "to celebrate the flourishing friendship between the U.S. and Japan. . .and those threads that bind us people to people, heart to heart."
The aroma of fresh hydrangeas, roses and cherry blossoms perfumed the.air at the press preview for the event on April 9.
Guest willl be served a bounty of cuisine representing Spring in Japan on China from president George W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson. The planners decided on a Cherry Blossom theme to reflect the friendship between the two countries. Japan donated the trees to the U.S. and they are jewels of the Tidal Basin in Washington that draw visitors from near and far each year.
Reporters sampled the dessert -- petit fors of salted caramel pistachio cake with matcha ganache, fecorated in cherry blossom branches. The full size cake prepared for guests will be accompanied by homemade cherry ice cream.
The main course offers a rib eye steak preceded by Salmon over salad.
Assorted wines will be served to drink.
While the featured floor aquarium with live koi in it may have drawn inspiration from the famous Mr. Cho's restaurant in Los Angeles, it is an extravagant welcoming gesture, the likes of which the White House has never seen. The First Lady's latest stroke of alliance-Strengthening magic, could be her last pending the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
The challenge was to improve on the French state dinner a year ago that was held on the South Lawn. The next level challenge is getting fulfilled with the koi pond providing a "wow" factor but it even gets better than that. Paul Simon, internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter will serve as the entertainment. The first couple of Japan are his fans.
(All of this to say...it sounds like a prpoper, top-shelf diningbexperience a la Mrs. Biden awaits Japensefirst family.)
READ ON for the details on what the special touches symbolize and the full.men
State Dinner Menu
First Lady Jill Biden worked with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu for the State Dinner. The dinner will be served on the State Service china of Presidents George W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson.
First Course
House-cured Salmon
Avocados, Red Grapefruit, Watermelon Radish, Cucumber
Shisho Leaf Fritters
- Main Course
Dry-aged Rib Eye Steak
Blistered Shishito Pepper Butter
Fricassée of Fava Beans, Morels and Cipollini
Sesame Oil Sabayon
- Dessert
Salted Caramel Pistachio Cake
Matcha Ganache
Cherry Ice Cream
Raspberry Drizzle
-Wine
Lingua Franca Bunker Hill Chardonnay 2021, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Long Shadow Pirouette 2019, Columbia Valley, Washington
Argyle Vintage Brut Rosé 2020, Willamette Valley, Oregon
American and Japanese Décor Elements
First Lady Jill Biden and Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo worked with Bryan Rafanelli and Rafanelli Events to help create the design and guest experience for the dinner. The décor will feature design elements that honor the tradition and cultures of the United States and Japan, including:
Celebration of Spring: The abundance of spring will serve as a symbol to mirror the friendship between the United States and Japan. The State Dinner design will represent a garden of blooms native to both countries, including hydrangeas, sweet peas, and peonies.
Butterflies: Among the blooms of flowers, glass and silk butterflies will be featured in the décor to represent the transformative nature of the relationship between the United States and Japan, and the evolving chapters of our shared history.
Japanese Gardens: Drawing inspiration from Japanese gardens, the Upper Cross Hall will feature colorful hydrangeas. Along the walls, a garden of fresh spring blossoms will create a vibrant backdrop. On the floor, a unique covering will give the illusion of walking over a koi pond with floating lily pads adorned with cherry blossoms.
Fans: The symbol of the fan, representing the flourishing ties between the United States and Japan, will be incorporated throughout the décor. A fanfare of bold and beautiful colors will be central to this design, including:
Green to represent renewal and growth of our friendship;
Blue to represent stability and security; and
Pink to represent the essence of spring.
- GUEST LIST
The Honorable Kamala D. Harris, Vice President of the United States & Mr. Douglas C. Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States
Mr. Akiba Takeo, National Security Advisor
Mr. Arima Yutaka, Director-General, North-American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Ayase
Mr. Ajay Banga & Mrs. Ritu Banga
The Honorable John Bass, Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs, U.S. Department of State & Ms. Audrey Hsieh
The Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement & Miss Jordan Grace Benjamin
The Honorable Anthony R. Bernal, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the First Lady & Mr. Brian Mosteller
Mr. Jeff Bezos & Ms. Lauren Sánchez
Ms. Ashley Biden & Dr. Howard Krein
Ms. Finnegan Biden
Ms. Naomi Biden Neal & Mr. Peter Neal
The Honorable Richard T. Bissen, Jr., Mayor of Maui County, Hawaii & Mrs. Isabella Bissen
The Honorable Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State & The Honorable Evan M. Ryan, Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary
Mr. Neil Bluhm & Ms. Leslie Bluhm
Mr. Brent Booker & Dr. Katherine Booker
General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Defense & Mrs. Sharene Brown
The Honorable Bill Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency & Ms. Sarah Burns
The Honorable Kurt M. Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State & The Honorable Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States & The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, 67th Secretary of State of the United States
The Honorable David Cohen, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency & Ms. Suzy Friedman Cohen
Mr. Tim Cook & Ms. Lisa Jackson
The Honorable Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina & Mrs. Kristin Cooper
The Honorable Diana DeGette, U.S. Representative & The Honorable Lino Lipinsky de Orlov
Mr. Robert De Niro & Ms. Tiffany Chen
Mr. James Dimon & Mrs. Judy Dimon
Mr. Michael C. Donilon & Mrs. Patricia Donilon
Ms. Ilana Emanuel
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Ambassador of the United States to Japan & Ms. Amy Rule
Mr. Zachariah Emanuel
The Honorable Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin & Mrs. Kathy Evers
Mr. Fred Eychaner & Mr. Danny Leung
Mr. Shawn Fain & Mrs. Stella Fain
The Honorable Jon Finer, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor &
Ms. TJ Fadel
Mr. Laurence Fink
Mr. Bill Freeman & Mr. Tom Loftis
Dr. Funabashi Yoichi
Mr. Funakoshi Takehiro, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ms. Susie Gelman & Mr. Michael Gelman
Ms. Xochitl Gonzalez & Mr. Daniel Lubrano
Mr. Robert Goodman & Ms. Jayne Lipman
The Honorable Philip Gordon, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States & The Honorable Rebecca Lissner, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President
Admiral Chris Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Defense & Mrs. Christine Grady
The Honorable Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy & Mr. Daniel Mulhern
Mr. Jon Gray & Mrs. Mindy Gray
Mr. Rene Haas
The Honorable Avril D. Haines, Director of National Intelligence & Mr. David Davighi
The Honorable Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator & Mrs. Chrissy Hagerty
The Honorable Bruce Harrell, Mayor of Seattle, Washington & Mrs. Joanne Harrell
The Honorable Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator & Mr. Leighton Kim Oshima
The Honorable Amos Hochstein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Energy and Investment, National Security Council & Mrs. Rae Ringel
The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York & Mr. William Hochul
Mr. Hosaka Shin, Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Mr. Hoshide Akihiko
Mr. Amos Hostetter & Mrs. Barbara Hostetter
Mr. Iijima Isao, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ms. Ikuta Lilas
Mrs. Amabel B. James & Mr. Ryan Petersen
The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives & Mrs. Kennisandra Jeffries
Her Excellency Kamikawa Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Katahira Satoshi
Mr. Katanozaka Shinya
Mr. Tony Kawai
Mr. Kobayashi Ken
Mr. Arvind Krishna & Mrs. Sonia Krishna
The Honorable Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State & Mrs. Nami Kritenbrink
Mr. Kunieda Shingo
Ms. Megan Myungwon Lee & Mr. Jeff Werner
The Honorable Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians & Mrs. Holly Macarro
Mr. Maeda Tadashi
Ms. Judy Marks & Mr. Chris Kearney
The Honorable Doris Matsui, U.S. Representative & Mr. Roger Sant
The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security & Mrs. Tanya Mayorkas
Mr. David McCall & Mrs. Donna McCall
Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra & Mrs. Sangeeta Mehrotra
The Honorable Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator & Ms. Brynne Merkley
Mr. Mikitani Hiroshi
His Excellency Moriyama Masahito, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Mr. Murai Hideki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
Ms. Ellen Nakashima & Mr. Alan Sipress
Ms. Mira Nakashima & Mr. Jonathan Yarnall
Ms. Niki Nakayama & Ms. Carole Iida-Nakayama
The Honorable Bill Nelson, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration & Mrs. Grace Nelson
Mr. Niinami Takeshi
Ms. Kelly O'Donnell & Mr. J. David Ake
Dr. Okina Yuri
Mr. Ono Keiichi, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Otsuru Tetsuya, Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister
The Honorable Thomas E. Perez, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs & Ms. Ann Marie Staudenmaier
The Honorable John D. Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation & Ms. Mae Podesta
The Honorable Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States & Mrs. Elissa Leonard
The Honorable Natalie H. Quillian, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff & Mr. Ryan Quillian
The Honorable Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce & Mr. Andy Moffit
The Honorable Mira Rapp-Hooper, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, National Security Council & Mr. Matthew Brest
The Honorable Bruce N. Reed, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff & Ms. Bonnie LePard
Mrs. Lynda Resnick & Mr. Stewart Resnick
The Honorable Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President & Mrs. Amy Ricchetti
Ms. Cecile Richards & Mr. Kirk Adams
Mr. Robert Roche & Mrs. Ritsuko Hattori Roche
Mr. Josh Rogin & Mrs. Ali Rogin
Mr. Ethan Rosenzweig, Acting Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State
Mr. Michael J. Sacks & Mrs. Cari Sacks
His Excellency Saito Ken, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry
Mr. Sawada Jun
Mr. Serizawa Kiyoshi, Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Defense
The Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania & Mrs. Lori Shapiro
Mr. Alex Hideo Shibutani
Ms. Maia Harumi Shibutani
Mr. Shikata Noriyuki, Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs
Mr. Shimada Takashi, Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mr. Brad Smith & Mr. Gregory Smith
Mr. Masayoshi Son
Mr. Robert Michael Stavis & Mrs. Amy Stavis
The Honorable Jake J. Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs & Ms. Maggie Goodlander
The Honorable Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative & Mr. Robert Skidmore
The Honorable Mark Takano, U.S. Representative & Mr. Glen Fukushima
The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations & Mr. Lafayette Greenfield, II
The Honorable Jill Tokuda, U.S. Representative & Ms. Susan Morita
Ms. Maria D. Toler & Ms. Casey Albert
The Honorable Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff & Mr. Ray Tomasini
Ms. Ueno Yukiko
The Honorable Pranay Vaddi, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation, National Security Council & Mrs. Megan Vaddi
The Honorable Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, U.S. Department of State & Ms. Zoe Verma
The Honorable Lorraine A. Voles, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the Vice President & Ms. Ruby Smith
Mr. Kent Walker & Ms. Diana Walsh
Mr. Mark Walter & Mrs. Kimbra Walter
The Honorable Steven Westly & Mrs. Anita Yu Westly
Mr. Eugene Woods & Ms. Lauren Wooden
His Excellency Yamada Shigeo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States
Ms. Kristi Yamaguchi & Ms. Yukiko Saegusa
Mr. Yamamoto Takayoshi, Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister of Japan
The Honorable Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Treasury & The Honorable Adewale Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Treasury
Mr. David Zapolsky & Ms. Lynn Hubbard
The Honorable Jeff Zients, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the President & Mrs. Mary Zients
