WASHINGTON (AP) – The first state dinner of the year by a president who has held the fewest of them in decades served up a few surprises.
President Barack Obama recited haiku.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (shin-zoh ah-bay) of Japan used the words of a popular R&B classic to describe his country’s relations with the U.S.
Tradition was also interrupted Tuesday night when the toasts were made using sake – not champagne.
Obama’s haiku spoke of springtime and friendship.