Japan: "US-Japan Summit, President Biden Received Generous Hospitality"

Meeting for About 2 Hours

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was warmly received by U.S. President Joe Biden at the U.S.-Japan summit held at the White House on the 13th (local time), according to a Japanese government official.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported that President Biden came out to the front of the White House building around 11:15 a.m. that day and waited for about four minutes before welcoming Prime Minister Kishida. After stepping out of the vehicle, Biden linked arms with Kishida, and while heading to the meeting room, he placed one hand on Kishida's shoulder.

Prime Minister Kishida held the summit with President Biden for about two hours, including a working lunch. Immediately after the summit, Kishida told reporters, "President Biden personally came out to greet me at the White House entrance. During the meeting, he arranged time for just the two of us to talk, responding very politely and warmly."

The treatment of the Japanese prime minister at the U.S.-Japan summit is a matter of great interest in Japan. Previously, when former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited the White House in April 2021, there was controversy over poor treatment as Biden declined a dinner meeting citing COVID-19 precautions.