Hirono to Attend President’s State Dinner

Senator Mazie K. Hirono will be in attendance at the State Dinner for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an event being hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She will join Governor David Ige and his wife, Dawn Ige, at the White House dinner.

The appearance at the State Dinner is one of two events Hirono will participate in during Prime Minister Abe’s official visit to the United States.

On Wednesday, Senator Hirono will participate on the escort committee for Prime Minister Abe’s address to a joint meeting of Congress. Members of the Escort Committee lead the Prime Minister into the House chamber.

“Japan is one of our closest allies and at a time when we have so much instability elsewhere in the world, it is important to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific,” Senator Hirono said. “In our ongoing focus on the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, we must continue to strengthen our relationship with Japan.”

Born in Fukushima, Japan in 1947, Senator Hirono is the first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Currently, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan.

“I was born in Japan and lived there until I was nearly eight years old. It is an honor to attend tonight’s State Dinner and serve on the escort committee for Prime Minister Abe’s address,” said Senator Hirono. “Our countries have much to offer one another and we must focus on continuing our enduring relationship and strengthening that relationship to meet our shared challenges.”