Prime Minister Kishida Fumio visited the United States with state guest treatment. 

Celebrities such as “YOASOBI” attended the official state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden, but in fact there was the elusive “Ohtani Shohei invitation proposal.” 

The official dinner hosted by President Biden was held at the White House. 

As celebrity guests, the music unit “YOASOBI” and wheelchair tennis champion Kunieda Shingo from Japan, and actor Robert De Niro and Apple CEO Tim Cook from the U.S. took part. 

This time, the “celebrity guests” were invited by the host, the U.S.  

According to multiple sources, the selection of these guests was “quite difficult.”  

A government official said, “We asked celebrities one after another, but it was difficult to make it happen.” 

Multiple sources said that basketball player Rui Hachimura, former baseball player Matsui Hideki, and actors Watanabe Ken and Sanada Hiroyuki were among the candidates. 

In fact, according to multiple Japanese and U.S. government sources, it is true that the participation of Ohtani Shohei of the LA Dodgers was being explored behind the scenes. 

Around January of this year, a foreign ministry official looked at the Dodgers’ game schedule and said, “There’s a day game in Minnesota, so if Ohtani takes a private jet after the game, he can make it in time.” 

Even in March, some people were saying “The dinner is for couples, so if Ohtani comes with his wife, it will be a big hit.” 

Another government official suggested, “If Ohtani can’t make it, how about going to Minnesota and getting a autographed ball for President Biden?” 

However, it seems that it was difficult to adjust due to the baseball season, and it was not realized.  

Furthermore, some government officials were cautious, saying, “If we invite him, there is a great risk that it will be seen as political exploitation.” Thus, the Ohtani invitation became a phantom.