President Joe Biden tripped as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine on Friday in his rush to greet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The president was running late – all the other G7 leaders had arrived on Miyajima Island and were waiting on him to begin the tour of the holy site – when he stumbled and caught himself before he fell.
He and Kishida continued on as if the slip didn’t happen, joining the rest of the heads of state to see the iconic ‘floating’ torii gate. The evening on the famous island, known for its wild deer, capped the end of a long first day of the summit.
After the tour, the world leaders – the heads of the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and European Union – had a private dinner on the island.
But Biden, 80, left that dinner early. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the ‘plan’ was for the president to receive an update from his debt ceiling negotiation team back in Washington where it is now morning.
President Joe Biden tripped as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine
Biden who is the oldest U.S. president, has faced and dismissed questions about his age, particularly as he campaigns for a second term in the White House.
His doctor has declared him healthy and fit to serve but has conceded the president’s gait is ‘stiff.’ Biden has tripped before – twice boarding Air Force One: in March 2023 and in March 2021.
Earlier in the day, Biden needed guidance when he fumbled for a spot during a photo op with Kishida and their wives.
He could simply be suffering from jet lag. The president arrived in Hiroshima on Thursday, held separate meetings with U.S. troops and Kishida, and then headed to his hotel.
He was up early for a zoom call with his team in Washington D.C. negotiating with Republicans on raising the country’s debt limit. His team and top aides to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are continuing to hold talks as the Treasury Department says the U.S. will default on its debt on June 1.
Friday, the president had a full schedule, which included a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and several meetings at the G7 summit. He also has a full agenda: convincing allies in the Indo-Pacific of U.S. support in the face of China’s economic, political and military power; shoring up even more support for Ukraine; and convincing allies America is a reliable partner amid fears the country may default on its debt.
Biden has downplayed questions about his age, telling reporters last month: ‘I can’t even say the number, it doesn’t register with me.’
Friday began with Kishida stepping in to direct Joe and Jill Biden as the first couple posed with him and his wife Yuko during the first day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
The Bidens were joining other G7 leaders and their spouses for a tour of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum.
They arrived last and walked down a red carpet where there were four markings on the floor. The foursome shuffled around each other as they tried to determine the lineup.
‘We’ll figure it out,’ Jill Biden said laughing, as the prime minister helped direct them to their marks on the floor.
![President Joe Biden exits the Beast, he was running late to join other G7 leaders on a tour of the Itsukushima Shrine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71177225-12102419-President_Joe_Biden_exits_the_Beast_he_was_running_late_to_join_-a-33_1684493589297.jpg)
President Joe Biden exits the Beast, he was running late to join other G7 leaders on a tour of the Itsukushima Shrine
![In his rush down the stairs Biden stumbled but caught himself before he fell](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71177147-12102419-image-a-29_1684493241448.jpg)
In his rush down the stairs Biden stumbled but caught himself before he fell
![President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida continued on after Biden's stumble](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71177157-12102419-image-a-31_1684493340373.jpg)
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida continued on after Biden’s stumble
![Earlier Friday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden (center) try to figure out which marking on the floor to stand on as they pose for a picture with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and his wife, Yuko Kishida (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/04/71165127-12101371-WHERE_DO_WE_STAND_President_Joe_Biden_and_first_lady_Jill_Biden_-a-27_1684466916997.jpg)
Earlier Friday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden (center) try to figure out which marking on the floor to stand on as they pose for a picture with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and his wife, Yuko Kishida (right)
![European Council President Charles Michel, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for the family photo at the Itsukushima Shrine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71175529-12102419-image-a-11_1684492108905.jpg)
European Council President Charles Michel, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for the family photo at the Itsukushima Shrine
The leaders then toured the museum at the Peace Memorial, which is dedicated to the thousands who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Behind them, the iconic A-Bomb Dome behind them.
While there, Biden met with Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha – or an atomic bomb survivor. She was eight years old on August 6, 1945.
They also participated in a wreath laying with each leader lining up before the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims with a wreath in front of them. In unison, they each stepped forward to place their wreath.
The G7 leaders – which include the heads of the United States, the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at their memorial to pay their respects.
Many bowed their heads.
Kishida, who is from Hiroshima, was seen speaking to them and pointing out parts of the park.
They also posed for a group photo in front of the memorial. Then they moved further down the park to participate in a tree-planting ceremony. Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped one shovelful of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit.
‘Through their visit to the Peace Memorial Park, the G7 leaders deepened their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and joined their hearts in consoling the souls of lost lives,’ Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
‘The G7 leaders reiterated their position that threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone its use are inadmissible. We are convinced that this visit became an opportunity to confirm G7’s commitment to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons,’ the ministry said.
The leaders spent the day holding meetings – and a group lunch – along with a session on the war in the Ukraine.
![The G7 leaders received a tour of the Itsukushima Shrine from one of its priests](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71176347-12102419-image-a-20_1684492686180.jpg)
The G7 leaders received a tour of the Itsukushima Shrine from one of its priests
![President Joe Biden talked with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71174657-12102419-image-a-21_1684492694789.jpg)
President Joe Biden talked with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7
![British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and President Joe Biden at the summit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71175139-12102419-image-a-22_1684492697998.jpg)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and President Joe Biden at the summit
![One of the famous deer waits among Japanese police as Biden's motorcade travels to the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71175543-12102419-image-a-23_1684492701813.jpg)
One of the famous deer waits among Japanese police as Biden’s motorcade travels to the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Island
But Biden also has been tracking the financial situation back in the United States.
The president, surrounded by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon held a 20-30 minute zoom call early on Friday with his negotiating team back in Washington, where it was late Thursday night.
Reed specifically came on the trip to the G7 to keep Biden updated on the talks.
Biden requested the update, the White House said, and was told ‘steady progress’ is being made.
The White House negotiating team was at the Capitol on Thursday and is expected to be back on Friday as both sides try to reach an agreement on the debt ceiling that Democrats and Republicans can live with.
Republicans wanted massive cuts to federal spending before they would agree to any debt deal, which Biden called a non-starter. The president wants a clean raise of the debt ceiling.
Biden is cutting his trip short – skipping scheduled stops in Australia and Papua New Guinea – to return to the negotiating table in Washington after his meeting with G7 leaders.
One area where both sides seem likely to agree would be the Republican proposal to claw back some $30 billion in unspent COVID-19 funds now that the federal government has declared an official end to the pandemic emergency.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the G7 summit in person sometime this weekend.Before he reaches Hiroshima, Zelensky will top at the Arab League meeting in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening.
His visit comes as the United States’ is preparing to give its nod of approval to European allies that they can send American-made F-16s to Ukraine.
Several European nations have shown a willingness to send the planes to Zelensky but the United States has to approve any third-party transfer because of sensitive American technology on board.
U.S. officials told CNN that the administration is prepared to approve the export of the jets to Ukraine if that is what allies decide to do with their supply.
The signal of approval for the transfer of the advanced military jets, along with another new round of tough sanctions show the desire of western allies to have Putin end this war and that the measures already taken haven’t been enough to deter the Russian president.
The sanctions to be fleshed out Friday will target Russia and third-world nations receiving exports that help Vladimir Putin’s war effort. The United States will also add around 300 new sanctions against individuals and entities.
‘We’re upping the economic pressure on Russia. We will continue to expand export controls to make it even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine among other things,’ a senior administration official told reporters on Thursday night.
![President Joe Biden hosted a virtual meeting with debt limit negotiations while he attended the G7 summit in Japan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71166221-12102419-President_Joe_Biden_hosted_a_virtual_meeting_with_debt_limit_neg-a-25_1684492835559.jpg)
President Joe Biden hosted a virtual meeting with debt limit negotiations while he attended the G7 summit in Japan
![The G7 leaders walked together to place their wreaths at the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. Participants included (from left): President Charles Michel of the European Council, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71166049-12102419-The_G7_leaders_walked_together_to_place_their_wreaths_at_the_Cen-a-24_1684492822441.jpg)
The G7 leaders walked together to place their wreaths at the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park. Participants included (from left): President Charles Michel of the European Council, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission
![US President Joe Biden, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attend a lunch meeting during the G7](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71167645-12102419-US_President_Joe_Biden_Germany_s_Chancellor_Olaf_Scholz_Britain_-a-26_1684492841670.jpg)
US President Joe Biden, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attend a lunch meeting during the G7
![Heiko von der Leyen, husband of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; Britta Ernst, wife of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; Japan's First Lady Yuko Kishida; US First Lady Jill Biden; and Akshata Murty, wife of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims in the Peace Memorial Park](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/19/11/71176617-12102419-image-a-27_1684492848538.jpg)
Heiko von der Leyen, husband of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; Britta Ernst, wife of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida; US First Lady Jill Biden; and Akshata Murty, wife of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims in the Peace Memorial Park
The sanctions will attempt to tighten the screws on Moscow’s war effort, targeting Russia’s mighty energy sector and other exports that aid Russian military.
‘This is going to be a significant effort that will that will extensively restrict Russian access to goods that matter for its battlefield capabilities,’ the official added.
The action comes as Western allies hunt for new ways to tighten already restrictive sanctions on Russia, which include visa restrictions and an oil price cap.
The leaders may also look at tightening language in already existing sanctions that could make it harder for Moscow to find gaps in the sanctions regime.
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