Tim Cook, Robert De Niro, and Hillary Clinton rubbed shoulders at the White House state dinner for Japan see the night's best photos
Talia Lakritz
- President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted a state dinner for the prime minister of Japan.
- Cherry blossoms appeared in the White House decor and menu as well as in guests' outfits.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko Kishida, to the White House for a state dinner on Wednesday.
The event, featuring cherry blossom-themed decor and high-profile guests, was more than just an excuse to dress up and decorate the White House. The two leaders reaffirmed military and economic partnerships between the US and Japan and announced new technology initiatives related to cybersecurity, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
Take a look at some of the highlights from the state dinner.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko Kishida, at a state dinner on Wednesday evening.
Jill Biden wore a purple and silver beaded dress by Oscar de la Renta, matching Yuko Kishida's violet gown. First ladies' staffers often coordinate with world leaders ahead of visits to ensure that their outfits won't clash.
Dinner was served on china sets designed by Lady Bird Johnson and Laura Bush.
The menu included house-cured salmon with shiso leaf fritters and dry-aged rib-eye steak with shishito pepper butter.
Cherry blossoms appeared throughout the evening, from the decor to the desserts.
The dessert of salted caramel pistachio cake with matcha ganache, cherry ice cream, and raspberry drizzle also featured edible cherry-blossom decorations on top.
Naomi Biden wore a pink cape dress printed with cherry blossoms from Belgian designer Bernadette.
The president's granddaughter was accompanied by her husband, Peter Neal. The couple held their wedding at the White House in 2022.
Hillary Clinton wore a pink caftan reminiscent of a Japanese kimono.
She attended the event with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
"Bill and I were thrilled to join President Biden and the First Lady in welcoming Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Mrs. Yuko Kishida, and other allies and friends last night at the administration's state dinner for Japan," Hillary Clinton captioned a photo from the event on Instagram. "Cherry blossoms everywhere!"
Jeff Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, wore a daring, fiery-red sheer corset dress by Rasario.
A former news anchor and helicopter pilot, Sanchez began dating the Amazon founder in 2018.
Robert De Niro and his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, also attended the dinner.
The Booksellers Room in the White House was decorated with koi pond-inspired decals on the floor and fans representing "the flourishing ties between the United States and Japan," according to the pool report.
Apple CEO Tim Cook also made the guest list.
Cook also attended a state dinner in 2023 hosted in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
The East Room was decorated with colorful springtime blooms and butterflies made of glass and silk.
In a media preview of the state dinner, Jill Biden said the White House would be transformed into a "vibrant spring garden — a place of joy and renewal, of hope and growth."
Kishida toasted Biden with a quote from "Star Trek," expressing hope that US-Japan relations would "boldly go where no one had gone before."
In his speech, Biden referenced the fraught history between the two countries that has transformed into close diplomatic ties post-World War II.
"We both remember the choices that were made to forge a friendship," Biden said. "We both remember the hard work, what it has done to find healing. Tonight, we pledge to keep going."
After dinner, Paul Simon sang his hit songs "Graceland" and "Slip Slidin' Away."
Simon was chosen to perform at the state dinner because both Jill Biden and Fumio Kishida are fans of his music, Reuters reported.
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