Vice Presidential Pool Reports of April 11, 2024

Supplemental Pool #1: VP arrives at Kishida luncheon

Vice President Harris has arrived the luncheon she and Secretary of State Blinken is hosting in honor of Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida Yuko of Japan.

The Second Gentleman is here too.

The luncheon is at the State Department.

Supplemental pool report #2: VP remarks

Following a toast by Blinken, VP Harris made remarks on the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, the Japanese American community in California, and the first Japanese player to play football in the U.S. debuting in a Jets v Giants game in CA in 1964.

Spotted in the room: Speaker Pelosi, Secretary Pete, Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Miller Meeks, John Podesta, Sen. Hirono, Sen. Ben Cardin

They are among several hundred guests at the lunch.

Supplemental pool report #3: background

On background from a White House official:

This afternoon, Vice President Harris and Secretary Blinken will host a luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida Yuko. This will be the fifth time Vice President Harris meets Prime Minister Kishidia. Her 12:40pm ET remarks will be livestreamed at https://www.state.gov/.

The luncheon is preceded by the Prime Ministers’ address before a joint meeting of Congress that was presided over by the Vice President. Following the luncheon, at the White House, the Vice President will join President Biden for a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines.

Vice President Harris’ previous meetings with Prime Minister Kishidia

• In September 2022, Vice President Harris led the presidential delegation to Japan for the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
  
  • In addition to engagements commemorating the life of PM Shinzo Abe, the Vice President had a full schedule of engagements in Japan, including delivering remarks to sailors aboard the USS Howard, and convening business executives in Tokyo to discuss semiconductor manufacturing.
• In November of 2022, on the margins of the 2022 APEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Kishida and other world leaders joined Vice President Harris in condemning the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch.
• In September of 2023, on the margins of the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Vice President Harris held a trilateral meeting with President Marcos of the Philippines and Prime Minister Kishida of Japan.
• In January of 2023, Vice President Harris hosted Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for a breakfast meeting at the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C.

Supplemental pool report #4: VP luncheon menu

Menu

Asparagus, Zucchini, Pickles & Ricotta (Tamari Basil, Pistachio Pesto, Sesame, Togarashi, Focaccia)

Grilled Virginia Bass (Roasted Garlic Pasta, Edamame Ragout, Lemon Zest, White Soy Butter Sauce)

Cherry Blossom Mousse (Coconut Milk, Matcha Sponge Cake)