To boldly Joe! Japan's prime minister quotes Star Trek as he hails Tokyo's alliance with the US during glamorous, star-studded White House state dinner (as Biden tries to toast without a glass)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida quoted Star Trek as he toasted President Joe Biden and the Japanese-U.S. alliance at a star-studded White House state dinner Wednesday.

The president, 81, almost toasted without a glass and left aides scrambling on the glitzy night where the audience full of celebrities, tech moguls and the biggest names in Washington was serenaded by Paul Simon.

Kishida and Biden addressed the A-list lineup of guests including actor Robert DeNiro, billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, as well as former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. 

During his toast Kishida paid tribute to his hometown of Hiroshima, the city decimated by an American atomic bomb in 1945, and noted how Star Trek actor George Takei also has roots in the city. 

'We are now standing at a turning point in history, embarking on a new frontier, elevating this unshakeable Japan-U.S. relationship to even greater heights and handing it to the next generation,' Kishida said. 'Finally, let me [conclude] with a line from Star Trek: to wish you all boldly go where no one has gone before.' 

During his toast, Biden talked about how the cherry blossom trees - a gift from Japan - bloomed early this year and that spring was upon D.C. - symbolizing 'what both our countries hold dear- new beginnings.' He then looked for a glass. 

President Joe Biden (right) toasts Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) during Wednesday night's White House state dinner with Japan

Former President Bill Clinton attends Wednesday night's White House state dinner with Japan 

President Joe Biden (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) deliver toasts as part of the White House state dinner program Wednesday night 

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was among the A-list guests at Wednesday night's White House state dinner with Japan 

Singer and songwriter Paul Simon performed Graceland and Slip Sliding Away in the State Dining Room Wednesday night 

'Ladies and gentleman please join me in raising a glass - I don't have a glass,' the president said. 

An aide then brought him a glass. 

'There you go. Join me in raising your glasses to our alliance, our friendship,' Biden said. 

Singer Paul Simon later entertained the crowd in the State Dining Room, playing Graceland and Slip Sliding Away, with Bill Clinton seated front row. 

Earlier in the evening, as the guests arrived, they were tongue-tied about talking politics. 

Guests repeatedly declined to discuss the upcoming presidential election, instead focusing on the party ahead of them.

Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, merely said 'hello' when asked if would be donating to the Biden campaign. 

'What do you think?' DeNiro responded when asked how he felt about the 2024 election and then kept going, walking through the entryway quickly with girlfriend Tiffany Chen at his side. He ignored a question about whether he'd campaign for Biden.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for a photo with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida by the Grand Staircase in the White House

Lauren Sanchez, attending with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, wore a red Rasario gown corset off-shoulder lace and satin gown that retails for $2,200

Bill and Hillary Clinton arrive at the state dinner

Naomi Biden and Peter Neal at the White House state dinner

The Biden's daughter Ashley Biden and their granddaughter Finnegan Biden

Apple CEO Tim Cook ignored a question about whether he'd donate to the Biden campaign.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in Valentino, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff made a rare appearance on the red carpet but declined to talk politics.

Bill and Hillary Clinton also declined to talk shop. 

'Oh we're having a good time tonight,' Hillary said when asked about the 2024 campaign.

'Great, especially for this,' Bill Clinton said when asked what it was like to be back. But the couple smiled when they saw Hillary Clinton's first lady portrait hanging near the entrance.

Naomi Biden, the president's granddaughter, was among the first arrivals. But all she would say was who she was wearing: a flowing and flowery by designer Bernadette. The gown was adorned with what appeared to be cherry blossoms. 

Sanchez wore a red Rasario gown corset off-shoulder lace and satin gown that retails for $2,200.

Naomi's husband Peter Neal, the Bidens' daughter Ashley and their granddaughter Finnegan are also at the White House to toast Kishida and his wife Yuko. 

As the guests walked through the downstairs entry, decorated in fans in honor of Japan, the Bidens welcomed the Kishidas at the main entrance of the White House.

The first lady wore a hand-embroidered evening gown in sapphire ombré by Oscar de la Renta. Mrs. Kishida wore a flowing royal blue dress with a black belt and black floral embellishments on her neckline.

Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen

Vice President Kamala Harris (in Valentino) and second gentleman Doug Emhoff

Former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton (right) and former President Bill Clinton (center right) speak to reporters who were lined up under her official White House portrait 

Jill Biden, walking out of the White House with President Joe Biden, is wearing a hand-embroidered evening gown in sapphire ombré by Oscar de la Renta

Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi arrives at the White House

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple Vice President Lisa Jackson

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (R) and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and wife Evan Ryan

CEO of Chase Jamie Dimon and wife Judith Kent

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk down the Grand Staircase

The Bidens transformed  the White House into a spring garden - complete with a koi pond and floating lily pads - for the event.

Legendary singer Paul Simon will perform for guests after their meal of home cured salmon, rib eye steak and salted caramel pistachio cake with cherry ice cream.

The ice cream is in honor of President Biden. It's his favorite dessert. There will be West Coast wines on the table for Kishida, who's known to have a high tolerance for alcohol. 

The celebration began early. Kishida and his wife Yuko stopped by the White House on Tuesday evening for an informal greeting from the Bidens.

Then the two couples went out to dinner in Washington, D.C. at Blacksalt Restaurant, which is known for its seafood.

The real magic happened on Wednesday night. When the 230 guests entered the state floor of the White House, they walked on a floor covered in the illusion of a koi pond with floating lily pads adorned with cherry blossoms.  

Event designer Bryan Rafanelli, who also planned Naomi Biden's White House wedding, came in to help with decor. He came up with idea for the koi pond (although there will be no live fish present).

The illusion of a pond will cover the 80-foot crosshall that connects the East Room, where guests will dine, to the State Dining Room, where Paul Simon will perform. 

'It's beautiful reflective interior photographic,' he said of his design. 'So you really do feel the sensitivity and then in the scale of the room, it will come alive.'

Colorful hydrangeas are along the walls. On the dinner tables are arrangements of hydrangeas, sweet peas, and peonies. Silk and glass butterflies will sit among the place sittings.

Some tables have a green china that is from George W. Bush's presidency while others have a flower-patterned china from President Lyndon B. Johnson's era. 

The inspiration for the evening was spring in both nations, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo noted. 

'The magic of spring in our lasting friendship. Each detail chosen to create a once in a lifetime experience,' he noted. 

The process of planning a state dinner takes months. Staff gather a few months before the actual date to give the first lady options on decor and food. She makes final decisions.

The food was inspired by the spring season. 

Lauren Sanchez and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos arrive for the state dinner

NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell and J. David Ake 

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, and his wife Tanya Mayorkas

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper

William Burns, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and his daughter Sarah Burns

 U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida for a state dinner - the White House was transformed into a garden for the event

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and his wife Elissa Leonard 

Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and husband Leighton Kim Oshima

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and his wife Grace Cavert 

Robert Michael Stavis and his wife Amy Stavis

US ice dancers Alex Hideo Shibutani and his sister Maia Harumi Shibutani 

The Bidens welcomed the Kishidas to the White House in a formal ceremony 

The first course dish of House-cured Salmon, avocados, red Grapefruit, watermelon radish, cucumber shisho leaf fritters (left), main course dish of dry-aged rib eye steak, blistered shishito pepper butter, fricassee of fava beans, morels and cipollini Sesame oil sabayon (center), dessert course of salted caramel pistachio cake, matcha ganache and cherry ice cream with raspberry drizzle (right)

On the dinner tables are arrangements of hydrangeas, sweet peas, and peonies

US First Lady Jill Biden (2L) and Spouse of Japan's Prime Minister Yuko Kishida (L) meet with school children

The salad course of salmon, which was cured at the White House, avocados, red grapefruit, watermelon radish, and cucumber was inspired by the California Spring Roll. 

The beef in the second course is from Maryland and the mushrooms are seasonal. Dessert inspired by cherry blossoms in bloom in both countries.

Kishida is the fifth state guest of Biden, who has also hosted leaders of India, Australia, South Korea and France.

Biden is hosting Kishida for the first state visit by a Japanese leader in nine years. 

A state dinner is the highest honor the United States can give an ally. 

The economy and security issues - including countering China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region - topped their the agenda.  

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.'

On Thursday, Kishida is scheduled to deliver a speech at a joint meeting of Congress. 

The prime minister and his wife arrived in the U.S. on Monday evening. On Tuesday Kishida visited Arlington National Cemetery and met with Microsoft officials at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Kishida on Friday will tour new Toyota and Honda plants in North Carolina to highlight Japan's economic importance as the largest foreign investor in the United States. He will also meet students at North Carolina State University.

 The Lyndon B. Johnson china (left) and the George W. Bush china (right) will be used at the state dinner on Wednesday night

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

Yuko Kishida, her husband Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave from the Truman Balcony

On Wednesday, during their meeting, Biden lauded Kishida on Ukraine 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. 

Since the Russian invasion of its neighbor, Kishida has repeatedly warned that 'Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.' 

Vladimir Putin's move sparked fear in Japan that without a strong response, it could embolden China to attack Taiwan and lead to war in the Asia-Pacific region. 

If Russia prevails, 'it would show that force can actually bring benefits, even when breaking international law. If so, what would happen to East Asia? We must not allow any country to receive the wrong message,' Kishida told The Washington Post at his official residence in Tokyo ahead of the visit.

Tokyo has been one of the largest donors to Kyiv since Russia's February 2022 invasion. 

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife Kishida Yuko to the White House on Tuesday for an informal greeting

During his visit, the prime minister will emphasize that Japan and the U.S. are now global partners working to maintain a rules-based international order, and that Japan is willing to take on a greater international role in security, economy and space to help Washington. 

Kishida lived in New York for three years as a child. Before becoming prime minister, he served as foreign minister, where he helped bring world leaders to Hiroshima for the G7 summit to discuss nuclear disarmament.

He loves baseball and is known to have a high tolerance for alcohol. 

Both he and Biden are fighting to keep their jobs. Biden faces a rematch with Republican rival Donald Trump in November. 

And Kishida's approval ratings hit record lows amid a political scandal involving his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and political fundraising.

Kishida and Biden also confirmed Japan's participation in NASA's Artemis moon program and the contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp. 

A Japanese astronaut will join the program and be the first non-American to land on the moon. The rover, which comes at a roughly $2 billion cost, is the most expensive contribution to the mission by a non-U.S. partner to date, a U.S. official said told the AP.

Thursday will see the first trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Defense issues will top the agenda as both Japan and the Philippines worry about Beijing's moves toward territory they claim in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

Kishida will discuss how Chinese coast guard ships regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan. 

And Marcos Jr. is worried about the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that is contested in the Spratly Islands. 

The Chinese coastguard has used water cannons to prevent the Philippines from resupplying marines stationed on the Sierra Madre, a rusting ship that Manila intentionally grounded on the reef in 1999 to reinforce its claims in the region.

Japan has sold coastal radars to the Philippines and is negotiating a defense agreement that would allow their troops to visit each other's territory for joint military exercises.