WASHINGTON: KISHIDA Yuko, wife of Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, met with US first lady Jill Biden at the White House on Monday, demonstrating her commitment to friendship between Japan and the United States.

Yuko and Jill had talks over lunch and tea. Yuko, who also met with President Biden for a short time, said she is “happy to be able to deepen friendship.”

Yuko was the first wife of any Japanese prime minister to visit the White House alone, according to the Japanese government.

The solo visit took place upon an invitation from Jill, who did not accompany President Biden for health reasons when he welcomed the Japanese prime minister into the White House in January.

In a White House garden, Yuko and Jill planted a cherry tree. “The planting of this tree is a symbol of the friendship between our two nations forever and ever,” Jill said.

Later, Yuko visited Howard University, a university historically committed to education for Black students and known as US Vice President Kamala Harris’ alma mater, and had talks with students learning Japanese there.

The university joined a student exchange project with Japan for the first time this year.

During her trip to Washington, Yuko also attended the National Cherry Blossom Festival and visited the National Museum of Asian Art, which commemorates its 100th anniversary this year.

JIJI Press