Photos: Japanese prime minister tours NC, meets state leaders at Executive Mansion
Robert T Willett
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday became the first foreign leader to visit the North Carolina Executive Mansion, where he was honored during a luncheon.
State leaders, including Democrats and Republicans, joined Kishida, his wife, and the rest of the Japanese delegation.
The menu was prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen.
Kishida has spent the week in the United States, and North Carolina is the only state he toured after meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington. The links between Japan and North Carolina have increased in recent years as several Japanese businesses have announced major job-creation projects in the state, including Toyota, Fujifilm and Kyowa Kirin.
“I think most of the Japanese companies that we have dealt with plan for a long, sustainable future,” Gov. Roy Cooper told The News & Observer. “And they think about planting the trees under which people they may never know will enjoy the shade.”
A place setting of Executive Mansion china for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s luncheon at the North Carolina Executive Mansion on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Staff at the North Carolina Executive Mansion prepare for a luncheon for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and first lady Kristin Cooper on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
The place setting for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during a luncheon in his honor at the Executive Mansion on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida steps from his vehicle upon his arrival at the North Carolina Executive mansion for a luncheon in his honor on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper, North Carolina Governor Roy Copper, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Japanese First Lady Yuko Kishida pose for a photograph before attending a luncheon at the Executive Mansion on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore talks with guests prior to a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein talks with guests prior to a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina House Democratic leader Robert Reives II talks with House Speaker Tim Moore prior to a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Senator Dan Blue talks with Attorney General Josh Stein prior to a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton talks with guests prior to a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
The first course of chilled sunburst tomato and cucumber soup at a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and First Lady Yuko Kishida arrive at the North Carolina Executive mansion for a luncheon in his honor on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and First Lady Yuko Kishida arrive at the North Carolina Executive mansion for a luncheon in his honor on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, addresses a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper addresses a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper addresses a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the dais for remarks prior to their luncheon on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a luncheon in his honor on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a luncheon in his honor on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
Shigeo Yamada, Japanese Ambassador to the United States, is seated next to Japanese First Lady Yuko Kishida during a luncheon in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during their visit to North Carolina on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com
