Visit to the United States by Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister: First Day (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

On April 9, 2024 (local time), Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the spouse of the Prime Minister, who is visiting Washington, D.C. with Prime Minister Kishida, visited Arlington National Cemetery and accompanied the Prime Minister who laid a wreath. Afterwards, Mrs. Kishida attended a Japanese tea ceremony with JET Program (The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program) alumni and others, had a luncheon with Japanese language educators, and then participated in a Cherry Blossom Festival related event. Finally, Mrs. Kishida attended an event between the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kishida, President Biden and Dr. Biden.

1. Visit to Arlington National Cemetery
Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko visited Arlington National Cemetery and accompanied Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
 
2. Japanese tea ceremony with JET Program alumni and others
Mrs. Kishida attended a Japanese Tea Ceremony hosted by Urasenke Tea ceremony practitioners who are involved in promoting Japanese culture in the U.S., along with JET Program alumni and individuals involved in Japan-U.S. exchange activities.
 
Mrs. Kishida told the participants, "I would like to enjoy today's tea ceremony and feel the joy of being here with you today, in the spirit of “Ichigo Ichie” (a once-in-a-lifetime encounter), as taught in the Japanese Tea Ceremony.” Mrs. Kishida then shared a cup of tea with the participants, sharing thoughts about Japan and Japanese culture, and deepened the friendship with the participants. Mrs. Kishida listened to JET alumni’s stories of their various experiences and their engagement with Japan, and said, “It is wonderful to know that the exchanges have been continued even after each JET participant completes the program.” The tea was served using a Wajima-nuri Natsume (lacquered tea caddy) with a six gourd pattern, with a prayer for the recovery of the earthquake-stricken areas.
 
3. Luncheon with Japanese language educators
Mrs. Kishida had a luncheon meeting with Japanese language educators engaged in promoting Japanese language education and children’s education, and had a frank exchange of views on topics such as the motivation of non-native Japanese speakers to learn Japanese, current trends of Japanese language learning in the U.S., and issues related to maintaining Japanese language proficiency among children who will return to Japan in the future.
 
In exchanging views with the participants, Mrs. Kishida said, “I express my sincere respect for your daily efforts in Japanese language education, and I hope that as many people as possible will gain a deeper understanding of Japan through language learning and education."
 
4. Participation in a Cherry Blossom Festival related event
Mrs. Kishida participated in an Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, workshop with about 60 members of the Cherry Blossom Princess Delegates under the “Cherry Blossom Program,” a program related to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Mrs. Kishida exchanged views with the Princess Delegates as well as with Ms. Teresa Downs, President of the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS), one of the main organizations of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Ms. Ursula Kondo, President of Ikebana International, Washington, D.C. Chapter No. 1 and staff members of the Ikebana International.
 
Through the Ikebana workshop and exchanges with those involved in the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Mrs. Kishida said, “The friendly foundation of Japan-U.S. relations is based on these people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and that the relationship between the two countries has been deepened through these efforts. I thank you all once again for your dedication to promoting the understanding of Japanese culture.”
 
Mrs. Kishida also said, “I believe that the interest in Japan among the younger generation, such as the princesses, will deepen the relationship between Japan and the U.S. for years to come. I am deeply impressed by the fact that not only representatives from all over the U.S., but also from several other countries and regions were selected as princesses to serve as a bridge between Japan and their respective contribution” and deepened the friendship with the participants.

Through the exchanges, Mrs. Kishida asked the princesses to describe Japan in one word, and in response various images were raised such as “beauty,” “art,” “resilience,” “peace,” “re-birth,” “hospitality (omotenashi),” “innovation”, “sushi” and “sakura”.
 
5. Informal Dinner between Prime Minister Kishida, Mrs. Kishida, President Biden and Dr. Biden
Mrs. Kishida, together with Prime Minister Kishida, attended an informal dinner with President Biden and Dr. Biden upon invitation.