Japan PM says the U.S. has invited him for a state visit

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks as he attends the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Leaders event at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small

(Reuters) - Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday in San Francisco that he had been invited by U.S. President Joe Biden for a formal state visit to Washington, the first for a Japanese premier in several years.

During his tenure, Biden has largely reserved the ceremonial events, which can span days and involve a formal dinner attended by celebrities at the White House, for partners such as France, South Korea and Australia.