Jill Biden heads to the Tokyo Olympics despite the COVID surge that has seen more than 70 athletes already test positive and forced organizers to ban fans
First lady Jill Biden is leaving the White House Wednesday for her first solo trip abroad: to attend the Tokyo summer Olympics, despite the rise in COVID-19 cases.
With Tokyo under a state of emergency throughout the duration of the games, Biden and U.S. Embassy Tokyo official Raymond Greene are the only members of the presidential delegation, with Jill Biden designated the leader.
'The President and First Lady want to show the highest level of support for our Olympic Athletes and the Games, while following strict protocols and precautions set by the White House COVID team, the government of Japan, and the Olympics to keep the public, athletes and the delegation safe,' the East Wing said Wednesday morning.
First lady Jill Biden (right) departed the White House Wednesday for her first solo trip abroad: to attend the Tokyo Olympics, despite the rise in COVID-19 cases. Biden is photographed Sunday returning to the White House
Chinese athletes arrive in Tokyo for the Olympic Games at Narita International Airport earlier this week
In Tokyo, Biden will be greeted by Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at Yokota Air Force Base and, on Thursday night, will have dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga, at the Akasaka Palace.
Mariko Suga and Biden will also spend time together Friday morning at the Akasaka Palace, as they didn't have the opportunity in April when the Japanese prime minister came to the White House because the Japanese first lady didn't make the trip.
To diminish any COVID risk, the first lady will then meet virtually with members of Team USA. On Monday, two Team USA athletes, alternate gymnast Kara Eaker and basketball player Katie Lou Samuelson, had already tested positive for COVID-19.
Biden will then greet Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
In the evening, the first lady will attend the Tokyo Olympics' opening ceremony.
On Saturday, Biden will spend time at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo.
She plans to dedicate a room at the Chief of Mission Residence to Irene Hirano Inouye and Sen. Daniel Inouye.
Irene Hirano Inouye died in 2020. She founded the U.S.-Japan Council and was the group's first president. She also served as the first executive director of the The Japanese American National Museum in her native Los Angeles.
She was married to Daniel Inouye, who passed away in 2012 and served as a senator to Hawaii for nearly 50 years.
After the dedication, the first lady will watch the U.S. versus Mexico softball game with foreign service members and their families.
Biden will then head to Olympics venues to watch several events before leaving Japan.
The first lady will be among a handful of people cheering athletes on as organizers announced earlier this month that spectators would be banned from Olympics' venues as COVID-19 cases spiked in Japan.
Biden is stopping in Alaska en route to the Olympics and traveling through Hawaii on the way back.
In Alaska, the first lady will greet military and veteran families staying at the Alaska Fisher House on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
Before this week's solo outing to Japan, first lady Jill Biden (right) attended the G7 with President Joe Biden, spending time with Carrie Johnson (left), the wife of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and their son Wilfred (middle), in Carbis Bay, Cornwall
Highlights of the trip also included Dr. Jill Biden meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle (left) and a school tour with Kate Middleton (right)
There are Fisher Houses all over the United States, which house military family members when a relative is receiving medical care.
The first lady will also stop at Alaska Native Medical Center to encourage the vaccination effort in Alaska.
She will make a similar vaccine-related stop at a local high scohol during her time in Honolulu.
Biden traveled with President Joe Biden last month to the first portion of his first global outing since being sworn-in in January.
The first lady accompanied the president to the G7 in Cornwall, England, where she spent time with Carrie Johnson, the wife of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and their son Wilfred in Carbis Bay.
Highlights also included a school tour with Kate Middleton and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle with her husband.
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