Jill Biden has landed in Tokyo, Japan ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony for the 2021 summer Olympic games. This marks her first solo trip abroad as a first lady.
The US First lady touched down at Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon, July 22.
Biden said she was excited to get to Japan. ‘Yes aren’t you? I’ll see you there,’ the first lady told reporters as she departed the Alaska stop.
According to reports, she and U.S. Embassy Tokyo official Raymond Greene, are the only two members of the official presidential delegation that went for the games.
In Tokyo Thursday night, Biden will have dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga, at the Akasaka Palace.
Mariko Suga and Biden will also spend time together Friday morning at the Akasaka Palace, as they didn’t have the opportunity in April when the Japanese prime minister came to the White House because the Japanese first lady didn’t make the trip.
To diminish any COVID risk, the first lady will then meet virtually with members of Team USA. On Monday, two Team USA athletes, alternate gymnast Kara Eaker and basketball player Katie Lou Samuelson, had already tested positive for COVID-19.
Biden will then meet Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
In the evening, the first lady will attend the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony.
On Saturday, Biden will spend time at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo. She also plans to dedicate a room at the Chief of Mission Residence to Irene Hirano Inouye and Sen. Daniel Inouye.
After the dedication, the first lady will watch the U.S. versus Mexico softball game with foreign service members and their families.
Biden will then head to Olympics venues to watch several events before leaving Japan.
