Japanese Prime Minister -- visit includes presentation of 3,000 Dogwood Trees to the Japanese People (April 30, 2012)

from OBAMA Food-o-rama (www.obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/ )

President Obama will welcome Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan to the White House today for a bilateral summit, the first visit by a Japanese leader since 2009.  The day will include an 11:40 a.m. bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, followed by a closed-press luncheon in the Old Family Dining Room at 12:45 p.m.

Noda will be honored with a dinner this evening hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which will include the presentation of a special gift marking the US-Japan friendship. Noda, 54, is the fourth Japanese Prime Minister to hold office since President Obama was elected in 2009, and his visit is an effort to re-affirm US-Japan relations.

"The President looks forward to holding discussions with the Prime Minister on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance, economic and trade issues, and deepening bilateral cooperation," the White House said.

In the afternoon, the President and Prime Minister will hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden at 2:00 p.m.

Secretary Clinton will host her dinner for Prime Minister Noda at 7:00 p.m. at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC, where she will announce a gift of 3,000 specially grown Dogwood trees for Japan. It comes as Washington has just marked the centennial of Japan's gift of 3,000 Cherry Blossom trees. In March, First Lady Michelle Obama participated in a cherry blossom tree planting ceremony on the National Mall to mark the centennial.
http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/04/president-obama-welcomes-japanese-prime.html