As Tom Cruise promoted his latest film The Last Samurai in Japan, he had an opportunity to share a melodious moment with the country's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. The music-loving Japanese premier, who has released a CD of his favourite karaoke renditions, Junichiro Koizumi Presents My Favourite Elvis Songs, apparently gave the Hollywood star a personal taste of his tuneful talents.
And while it wasn't a public display, such as the TV sax performances of Bill Clinton or the Beatles' rendition made by Cherie Blair recently, PM Koizumi still got the thumbs up from his private Oscar-winning audience of one. "He's really an extraordinary man – and a pretty good singer," said the star. "We sang Elvis together."
Tom didn't disclose the name of the song crooned by his politician host, but Mr. Koizumi later confessed it was the King's 1956 single "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" – the first song he ever learned in English. The $114-million The Last Samurai, filmed on location in Himeji in western Japan and New Zealand, is set for US release in December and will hit UK screens in January 2004.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
"He's really an extraordinary man - and a pretty good singer," said Tom, who crooned Elvis' I Want You, I Need You, I Love You with PM Junichiro Koizumi during a Tokyo visit
Photo: © AFP
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The prime minister clasps hands with the Hollywood star and Last Samurai director director Edward Zwick
Photo: © AFP
