President Biden is set to host a lavish state dinner for Japan on Wednesday evening, with the theme of the event being the “bounty of spring.” The dinner, which will be the fifth state dinner of Mr. Biden’s term, will feature decorations of cherry blossoms and peonies, as well as a performance by music legend Paul Simon.
First Lady Jill Biden and White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo gave a sneak peek of the menu and décor for the dinner, which will be held in honor of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and his wife. The guests will be greeted with a stunning display of oversized fans in the East Wing, symbolizing the many paths of life.
The menu for the evening includes house-cured salmon with shiso leaf tempura, dry-aged rib-eye beef with morel mushrooms, and salted caramel pistachio cake with cherry ice cream for dessert. The dinner has been designed to reflect the beauty of spring in Washington, with decorations featuring sweet pea, roses, and peonies.
The event will also highlight the historic cherry trees in Washington, a gift from Japan in 1912, symbolizing the strong partnership between the two countries. The dinner will feature ingredients sourced from across the country, showcasing the best of American cuisine.
After the meal, guests will be treated to a performance by Paul Simon, and President Biden will present Prime Minister Kishida with a special gift of autographed LPs by Billy Joel and a vintage vinyl record collection of American musicians.
As the evening comes to a close, guests will depart through a path of hydrangeas, a nod to the shared love of flowers between the United States and Japan. The guest list for the event is typically kept under wraps until the last minute, but it is expected to include prominent members of the visiting country, donors, administration officials, and members of the Biden family.
