[ inaudible ]. Mr. James barnes and mrs. Heather barnes. The honorable [ inaudible ] [ inaudible ]. Mr. John runes and mrs. Mrs. Runes. Honorable [ inaudible ]. Honorable rose and mr. Frank rhodes. Some of the arrival at the booksellers room and up to the north portico. President obama and First Lady Michelle Obama preparing to greet tonights honored guest the Prime Minister of japan shinzo abe and his wife. Live coverage here on cspan3. The president and first lady welcoming Prime Minister shinzo abe of japan and his wife to the white house. Youre on cspan3 and take you back live. The booksellers area where other guests are arriving for tonights state dinner for shinzo abe and his wife. Live coverage here on cspan3. Mr. Bob dan and mrs. Rainy dan. [ inaudible ] the home Daniel Russell and ms. Kito russell. [ inaudible ] the honorable kito chen. Mr. Ron and mrs. John olivere. Mr. Paul glenn iii. Honorable ron wyden and mrs. Widen. How are your use of chopsticks . It will be challenging
Including a state dinner. President obama was able to visit japan and be hosted on a state visit last year and meet with Prime Minister abe. We believe that the u. S. Japan alliance is the cornerstone of our engagement with the asia pacific region. The president has made it a focal point of his foreign policy. Making sure the u. S. Japan alliance is a key focus. I think its a testament to how far our two countries have come. Our ability to reconcile and also develop an appreciation for our shared democratic values. All of that, i think will be on display over the next couple days. The leaders will be focused on a number of important issues. On our defense and security cooperations and appliance right now theres a meeting taking place between our foreign and defense ministers that is focusing on how to update our defense guidelines. We are welcoming japans increased role in the alliance. And really see this as a critical, if not historic moment in terms of moving forward with the modern