Biden was mocked for strolling onto the White House lawn with a dazed look during the Japanese prime minister's ceremony

Policy

by Ryan King

President Biden raised eyebrows Wednesday morning when he appeared confused as he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the White House for a state visit.

Biden (81 years old) and Kishida (66 years old) exchanged greetings before shaking hands with members of the American and Japanese delegations on the South Lawn.

The two leaders then took the stage to the national anthems of both countries, before reviewing the US military honor guard.

Before the review, a military aide greeted Biden and Kishida with a salute. The president began to raise his right hand to return the salute, then dropped it while the aide directed the two leaders where they should stand.

Biden appeared to stare with a blank look on his face before putting on his trademark sunglasses and walking across the grass.

During the review, the President's gait was noticeably stiff and his steps appeared hesitant and uncertain.

Eventually, Biden and Kishida returned to the podium and delivered remarks in which the president declared that the relationship between Washington and Tokyo had become “closer, stronger and more effective than at any time in history.”