Behind the Scenes at the Japan State Dinner

Update: See Michelle Obama's frothy dress!

It Will Be a Night to Remember - The president and First Lady Michelle Obama will host their eighth State Dinner on April 28. The guests of honor are Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Akie Abe. It's still a mystery what other boldfaced names will attend the fête, but the White House did offer a preview of the menu, which will feature "delicacies inspired by Japanese and American culinary traditions,” and the beautiful table settings. Tanoshimu! — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)  (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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It Will Be a Night to Remember - The president and First Lady Michelle Obama will host their eighth State Dinner on April 28. The guests of honor are Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Akie Abe. It's still a mystery what other boldfaced names will attend the fête, but the White House did offer a preview of the menu, which will feature "delicacies inspired by Japanese and American culinary traditions,” and the beautiful table settings. Tanoshimu! — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

The Obama State China Service - The Obama State China Service, which the first lady helped design, will be used for the first time at the dinner. According to the White House, the unifying color, which she calls Kailua Blue, was inspired by the waters off Hawaii and is featured on bands with a crisp motif of relief lines. Mrs. Obama's goal for the 11-piece plate setting for 320 was to offer a more modern design aesthetic that will also complement preceding state services. The Obama service was paid for with a donation from the White House Endowment Trust. (Photo: MAI/Greg E. Mathieson /Landov)

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The Obama State China Service - The Obama State China Service, which the first lady helped design, will be used for the first time at the dinner. According to the White House, the unifying color, which she calls Kailua Blue, was inspired by the waters off Hawaii and is featured on bands with a crisp motif of relief lines. Mrs. Obama's goal for the 11-piece plate setting for 320 was to offer a more modern design aesthetic that will also complement preceding state services. The Obama service was paid for with a donation from the White House Endowment Trust. (Photo: MAI/Greg E. Mathieson /Landov)

The Menu - Guests will have the option of using chopsticks or a fork for the dinner, which includes a toro tartar and caesar sashimi salad, vegetable consommé en crout and shikai maki, and America Wagyu beef tenderloin, and for dessert a silken custard cake made with tofu and soymilk and petite fours and chocolates. The wines will be an American pinot noir and chardonnay. There also will be a Dassai sake toast. Guest chef Masaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame, will be starring backstage in the White House kitchen.(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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The Menu - Guests will have the option of using chopsticks or a fork for the dinner, which includes a toro tartar and caesar sashimi salad, vegetable consommé en crout and shikai maki, and America Wagyu beef tenderloin, and for dessert a silken custard cake made with tofu and soymilk and petite fours and chocolates. The wines will be an American pinot noir and chardonnay. There also will be a Dassai sake toast. Guest chef Masaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame, will be starring backstage in the White House kitchen.(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

A Gift of Spring - White House executive chef Cris Comerford shows off the first course, a Toro Tartare and Caesar Sashimi Salad wrapped up with a sprig of yellow flowers, that she described as a gift of spring.(Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

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A Gift of Spring - White House executive chef Cris Comerford shows off the first course, a Toro Tartare and Caesar Sashimi Salad wrapped up with a sprig of yellow flowers, that she described as a gift of spring.(Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sip of Tea - White House executive pastry chef Susan Morrison shows off a tour-de-force dessert course called “A Sip of Tea,” which includes petit fours based on Japanese teas  and features a teapot made from blown sugar.  (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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A Sip of Tea - White House executive pastry chef Susan Morrison shows off a tour-de-force dessert course called “A Sip of Tea,” which includes petit fours based on Japanese teas  and features a teapot made from blown sugar. (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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From Garden to State Dinner Table - On April 15, the first lady and a group of school children from around the nation planted five different vegetables in the White House kitchen garden. Their crop included bok choy, which will be featured in the consommé. Farms from around the nation also provided vegetables on the menu.  (Photo: Gary Cameron/Landov)

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From Garden to State Dinner Table - On April 15, the first lady and a group of school children from around the nation planted five different vegetables in the White House kitchen garden. Their crop included bok choy, which will be featured in the consommé. Farms from around the nation also provided vegetables on the menu. (Photo: Gary Cameron/Landov)

The Entertainment - You're not alone if you think musical selections from Jersey Boys are an odd choice for state dinner entertainment. But apparently the film adaptation of the Broadway hit "recently won several top honors in Japan for Best Foreign Language Film."  (Photo: GK Films / Malpaso Productions)

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The Entertainment - You're not alone if you think musical selections from Jersey Boys are an odd choice for state dinner entertainment. But apparently the film adaptation of the Broadway hit "recently won several top honors in Japan for Best Foreign Language Film." (Photo: GK Films / Malpaso Productions)

Photo By Photo: GK Films / Malpaso Productions

It's Really All About the Dress, Right? - First Lady Michelle Obama and President Obama hosted their very first state dinner on Nov. 24, 2009, for India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Few people likely remember the meal, but they'll never forget how beautifully the first lady shined in this gown by designer Naeem Khan.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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It's Really All About the Dress, Right? - First Lady Michelle Obama and President Obama hosted their very first state dinner on Nov. 24, 2009, for India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Few people likely remember the meal, but they'll never forget how beautifully the first lady shined in this gown by designer Naeem Khan. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Mexico State Dinner - For her second state dinner, which honored Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala on May 19, 2010, the first lady once again did not disappoint. She is wearing a cobalt blue one shoulder, corset-style gown by New York designer Peter Soronen.    (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Mexico State Dinner - For her second state dinner, which honored Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala on May 19, 2010, the first lady once again did not disappoint. She is wearing a cobalt blue one shoulder, corset-style gown by New York designer Peter Soronen.  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

China State Dinner - At the state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao on January 19, 2011, the first lady dazzled in this fiery red gown by British designer Alexander McQueen. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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China State Dinner - At the state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao on January 19, 2011, the first lady dazzled in this fiery red gown by British designer Alexander McQueen. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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German State Dinner - Mrs. Obama shimmered on June 7, 2011, in an all-over embellished gown by Naeem Khan, who also designed the dress she wore at the Obama's state dinner for India's prime minister. The guests of honor on this night were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Landov)

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German State Dinner - Mrs. Obama shimmered on June 7, 2011, in an all-over embellished gown by Naeem Khan, who also designed the dress she wore at the Obama's state dinner for India's prime minister. The guests of honor on this night were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Landov)

South Korea State Dinner - This custom purple jersey, one-shoulder gown was created by Korean-American designer Doo-ri Chung. The first lady wore it at the dinner honoring South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and wife Kim Yoon-ok on Oct. 13, 2011. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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South Korea State Dinner - This custom purple jersey, one-shoulder gown was created by Korean-American designer Doo-ri Chung. The first lady wore it at the dinner honoring South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and wife Kim Yoon-ok on Oct. 13, 2011. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

British State Dinner - This deep teal off-the-shoulder confection is from Marchesa and the first lady wore it at the state dinner honoring British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha on March 14, 2012.  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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British State Dinner - This deep teal off-the-shoulder confection is from Marchesa and the first lady wore it at the state dinner honoring British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha on March 14, 2012. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

France State Dinner - The first lady wore this intricate beaded black bodice and full skirt in liberty blue to the state dinner honoring French President François Hollande on Feb. 11, 2014. The gown was designed by Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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France State Dinner - The first lady wore this intricate beaded black bodice and full skirt in liberty blue to the state dinner honoring French President François Hollande on Feb. 11, 2014. The gown was designed by Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Who Will Michelle Obama Wear at the Japan State Dinner? - Who knows? It would be really cool and exciting if she chose an avant garde frock by Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto or another Japanese designer who can spin fashion into high art. One thing is certain: our fashionista first lady knows better than anyone how to keep us guessing. Stay tuned!   (Photo: BET)

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Who Will Michelle Obama Wear at the Japan State Dinner? - Who knows? It would be really cool and exciting if she chose an avant garde frock by Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto or another Japanese designer who can spin fashion into high art. One thing is certain: our fashionista first lady knows better than anyone how to keep us guessing. Stay tuned! (Photo: BET)

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And the Winner is... - The first lady chose a rich purple gown design by the Japanese-born designer Tadashi Shoji that featured embroidered feathers and a plunging neckline. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst /Landov)

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And the Winner is... - The first lady chose a rich purple gown design by the Japanese-born designer Tadashi Shoji that featured embroidered feathers and a plunging neckline. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Jonathan Ernst /Landov

Arrival Ceremony - The Obamas welcome the Japanese prime minister and his wife after they arrived at the north portico of the White House. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Arrival Ceremony - The Obamas welcome the Japanese prime minister and his wife after they arrived at the north portico of the White House. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Seahawk and the Singer - Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks and Ciara Harris arrive for the State dinner in honor of the Japanese prime minister.(Photo: Olivier Douliery/Getty Images)

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The Seahawk and the Singer - Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks and Ciara Harris arrive for the State dinner in honor of the Japanese prime minister.(Photo: Olivier Douliery/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

Pinch Me! - Writer and producer Shonda Rhimes and Scott Brown were clearly thrilled to be at the White House. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

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Pinch Me! - Writer and producer Shonda Rhimes and Scott Brown were clearly thrilled to be at the White House. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

Cheers! - In his sake toast to the Japanese prime minister, the president offered this attempt at a haiku:Spring green in friendship United States and Japan Nagoyaka ni which means harmonious feelingPerhaps Obama shouldn't quit his day job?   (Photo: Alex Wong/UPI/Landov)

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Cheers! - In his sake toast to the Japanese prime minister, the president offered this attempt at a haiku:Spring green in friendship United States and Japan Nagoyaka ni which means harmonious feelingPerhaps Obama shouldn't quit his day job? (Photo: Alex Wong/UPI/Landov)