Japan's PM Koizumi channels Elvis

Here's the article:

Bush, Koizumi bond over Elvis at Graceland tour

MEMPHIS (Reuters) - For Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a devout fan of Elvis Presley, it was the chance of a lifetime.
President George W. Bush called it an "unusual experience."
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The two leaders took a road trip on Friday to pay homage to the king of Rock n' Roll and nurture a "Love Me Tender" bond between two staunch allies.

At the finale of a two-day summit that touched on
North Korea,
Iraq and world trade talks, Bush and Koizumi were ready for "A Little Less Conversation" as they flew aboard Air Force One to Graceland, Elvis's Memphis mansion.

"It's like a dream," said Koizumi, 64, who shares a birthday with Elvis Presley and whose wavy hairstyle resembles that of the singer.

Joined by Bush's wife, Laura, the leaders were given the royal treatment as they pulled up to the pop culture shrine, where a pink Cadillac was parked outside. Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie, and his ex-wife, Priscilla, gave the trio a private tour.

As the first sitting president to visit Graceland, Bush received an original Elvis belt buckle from the singer's estate. Koizumi was given a vintage movie poster and
Laura Bush got a "tender loving care" necklace.

HOLD ME TIGHT

Koizumi, known in Japan for his eccentricities and keen political instincts, could not resist belting out a few lines from Elvis's songs in front of the television cameras.

In the green-carpeted "Jungle Room" where Elvis recorded some of his songs, Koizumi put his arm around Lisa Marie Presley and said, "Hold me close, hold me tight." He also put on sunglasses and struck a classic Elvis pose.

"You're a pretty good Elvis singer," Bush told Koizumi, who crooned the opening bars of "Can't Help Falling In Love."

The president, who often talks about the turnaround in U.S.-Japanese relations since World War Two, called the trip a reminder of the closeness between the countries now.

Here's video and photosof Koizumi singing "Love me Tender".

LOL. Here's more video of the Japanese PM channeling Elvis (from CNN).

And more videos from Elvis Pressley's official site.