Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife, Yuko, now visiting the United States, have attended an informal dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden.

Before the dinner, the Bidens invited them to the White House on Tuesday.

Kishida gave Biden gifts that include a pair of coffee cups and ballpoint pens, which are traditional Wajima lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture. The area was hit by a deadly earthquake on January 1.

The coffee cups each feature the first names of Biden and his wife, painted using traditional technique of makie, or decorating lacquerware by sprinkling gold particles.

The prime minister told the hosts that the artisans who made the gifts are survivors of the quake.

The prime minister's wife gave the first lady Takaoka copperware accessories from Toyama Prefecture.

The couples then moved to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold a summit with the US president on Wednesday. The two leaders are expected to confirm strengthening bilateral cooperation in wide areas including defense, economic security and space. They will also commit to seeking better coordination between units of Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US military as global partners.