Biden, 81, rolls out the red carpet... and the note card...for talks with Japanese PM Kishida on rising threat of China, the war in Ukraine and the first bullet train in the U.S. before lavish dinner and Paul Simon performance

President Joe Biden treated Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to a red carpet arrival ceremony at the White House, praising his 'good friend' as a 'genuine leader' and thanking the key ally for its support of Ukraine.

Biden met with Kishida inside the Oval Office in one of many gestures of support for the partner on defense and economic issues. The U.S. and China share mutual concern about Chinese provocations in Asia, even amid a split over Nippon Steel's proposed purchase of U.S. Steel.

'You personally have made all of this possible,' Biden gushed after running through examples of Kishida's 'bold leadership.'

He occasionally looked at a note card while he spoke, then put it away for a joint photo and handshake.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan meet in the Oval Office shortly after an elaborate arrival ceremony for his official visit to Washington

Biden also provided a formal arrival ceremony for Kishida's official visit and state dinner set for Tuesday night – with singer Paul Simon providing musical entertainment. 

Kishida called Biden 'Joe' and said they had 'nurtured a friendship and a trust' through a string of meetings. 

Biden also credited Kishida for deciding 'to heal old wounds and start a new chapter of friendship' with South Korea, despite lingering animosities over Japan's colonial oppression.

Biden touted Japanese investments that have generated 'millions of jobs across both our nations,' without mentioning his opposition to the purchase of the Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.

Biden praised Japan's investments, despite a split over a planned purchase of U.S. Steel

Kishida was treated to an elaborate ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House

Biden took a reporter's question about Australia's request that the U.S. cease prosecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, who is facing prosecution in the U.S. for the leak of millions of documents and is still being held in the U.K.

'We're considering it,' Biden said.

Kishida's visit is an official visit, since he is not the head of state of Japan, although he is being treated to a state dinner, which will feature rib eye steak and Biden's favorite dessert: ice cream.

The two men and their wives also dined Monday night at Black Salt, a high-end Washington, D.C. restaurant.

Biden also recounted how the two men walked to view a trio of cherry trees on the White House grounds, and that Kishida is presenting 250 new cherry tees to join the hundreds in D.C.'s Tidal Basin.

Neither mentioned Biden's push for a Texas rail project using Japanese bullet trains. 

On Ukraine, Biden lauded Kishida at a time he is struggling to get his own multi-billion aide package through the Republican House.

'When Russia began his brutal invasion of Ukraine two years ago, he did not hesitate to condemn, sanction and isolate Russia and provide billions in assistance to Ukraine,' Biden said.

'Under his leadership, Japan set in motion profound changes in his defense policy and its capabilities,' in reference to Japan's U.S.-drafted constitution that renounces war.