TOKYO: Japanese pop duo Yoasobi and other celebrities will be invited to a state dinner at the White House this week during a US visit by Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, Japanese government officials said Monday.

This is apparently aimed at highlighting the friendly relationship between Japan and the United States. Yoasobi is known globally for hit songs such as “Idol.”

US President Joe Biden will host the dinner on Wednesday.

Kishida is considering giving “Wajima-nuri,” a traditional craft from Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit hard by a magnitude-7.6 earthquake on New Year’s Day, to Biden as a souvenir. He is also considering presenting cherry tree saplings.

JIJI Press