Previous Japanese prime ministers have been attentive to the personal preferences of US presidents and Mr. Kishida is no exception.
US President Joe Biden arrived in Japan on May 22 for his first tour of Asia since taking office. Previously, Mr. Biden visited South Korea from May 20 to May 22.
According to the schedule, President Biden is scheduled to meet Emperor Naruhito before meeting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on May 23. The same evening, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida will have a meal together at Happoen restaurant. The restaurant in Tokyo's Shirokanedai district is famous for its Japanese-style garden, tea ceremony space, lake, and bonsai.
Kyodo news agency reported that it is likely that the two leaders will take a walk in the garden of the restaurant. In addition, Japan's First Lady Yuko Kishida is likely to perform the art of the tea ceremony in front of the US President, according to Japanese government sources.
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| Happoen Restaurant is famous for its Japanese-style garden |
Previous Japanese prime ministers have always cared about the treatment of leaders from their American ally. According to Nikkei Asia, choosing a restaurant for dining or other activities - such as golfing - helps to better understand the Japanese prime minister and reflects their relationship with American leaders.
Mr. Kishida's choice shows that he wants to introduce Japanese cuisine and aesthetics to Mr. Biden. Another option considered by Tokyo is to dine at a restaurant that serves okonomiyaki, or "Japanese pancakes" - a specialty of Hiroshima Prefecture, where Mr. Kishida began his political career in 1993. However, this option was denied possibly for security reasons.
When President Donald Trump visited Japan in May 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took him golfing in Chiba Prefecture with professional golfer Isao Aoki. Mr. Trump is said to have been happy to play with the Japanese legend. Mr. Abe also presented him with a white cap emblazoned with gilded text: "Donald & Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater." The 2 presidents signed on the caps showing hospitality toward each other.
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| Mr. Abe gave Trump a cap during a golf game in Japan in 2017 |
Mr. Trump and Mr. Abe also watched sumo matches for about an hour at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo at Trump's request, and then dined at a robatayaki restaurant in Roppongi.
Golf is a common hobby that has brought the two leaders closer together. In three and a half years, they met 14 times, talked on the phone 37 times, and played golf 5 times.
Mr. Abe also received President Barack Obama as a guest in April 2014. Hearing that Mr. Obama liked sushi, Mr. Abe took Mr. Obama to Sukiyabashi Jiro, a casual restaurant in the Ginza district, Tokyo. During the meal, Mr. Obama talked about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.
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| Mr. Abe and Mr. Obama at Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi restaurant in 2014 |
When President George W. Bush arrived in Japan in February 2002, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took him to dinner at an izakaya in the Nishi-azabu district of Tokyo, because Mr. Bush said he wanted to go to a place where the Japanese have been.
Mr. Koizumi made clear his support for Mr. Bush on various issues, including the war in Iraq. Mr. Bush visited Japan four times while in office, three of which met with Mr. Koizumi.
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| Mr. Koizumi and Mr. Bush at an izakaya in Tokyo in 2002 |
During the 1980s, two leaders Yasuhiro Nakasone and Ronald Reagan were famous for their close relationship, calling each other "Ron" and "Yasu". Despite tensions between the two countries over exports of Japanese cars and other goods, the two leaders emphasized cooperation on issues such as security.
In addition to the place to eat, Japanese side's gifts to the US president can also reveal the host's sincerity. When Trump visited Japan for the first time as president, Mr. Abe presented him with a white cap emblazoned with gilded text: "Donald & Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater." The 2 presidents signed on the caps showing hospitality toward each other.
A gift can strengthen a relationship and build trust. People are waitting to see what Kishida will give Biden, and what message the Japanese prime minister wants to send.
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