On October 2, 1975, the White House hosted a State Dinner to honor Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako of Japan for their first visit to the United States. Besides a brief layover in Alaska on his way to Europe during which he was met by President Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon, this was the first official visit from the Emperor of Japan to the U.S. The evening was a huge step for repairing the relationship between Japan and the U.S. after World War II.

The year before, President Ford became the first incumbent president to visit Japan and was well received by the Japanese people. Emperor Hirohito stated that he was honored by President Ford’s visit and the invitation for an official State visit. In remarks on the South Lawn during his White House visit, Hirohito told President Ford that, “We are indeed delighted to be here at this historic moment on the very eve of the Bicentennial of American independence when the American people reflect on the past and look to the future. For me, also, this visit is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the past relationships between Japan and the United States and to its future.”

President Ford needed to be fully prepared to receive the Emperor and Empress for the night to go well. The White House staff and State Department collected all his preferences and wrote talking points for the President. Emperor Hirohito was fascinated with marine biology, and five of Empress Nagako’s artworks were displayed in the Smithsonian. Their Majesties would be traveling across the country over the next week, so the evening’s conversation focused on U.S. history and each leader’s personal background and interests.

Everything about the evening was planned meticulously: guest list pronunciation, seating, food preferences and etiquette, and entertainment for the evening. The dress code was white tie, a six-foot Bonsai tree from the Imperial Collection of Japan decorated the Yellow Oval Room, and pianist Van Cliburn performed for guests after dinner.

This dinner was a pivotal moment for repairing the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, and both Ford and Hirohito were very respectful of the history our countries share. Many gifts were exchanged, there was laughter and dancing, and gratitude from both the American and Japanese peoples for this historic evening.

Author: Cecilia Koth, student intern