The formal social and policy event delivers on a promise by Biden to host the closely allied nation, which is key to the United States' strategy to lower tensions around China, North Korea and other Asian security issues.

In pre-recorded remarks to an event hosted by the Wilson Center think tank, Japan's ambassador to Washington, Shigeo Yamada, said on Thursday: "2024 will be a pivotal year for Japan-U.S. relations, with an official visit by Prime Minister Kishida taking place early in the year."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Jeff Mason; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Porter)