Japan's music-loving Koizumi seeks Thai songs CD
( 2003-10-21 22:20) (Reuters)
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose
musical taste varies from Beethoven to Elvis Presley, has ordered his staff to
find copies of songs played at a Bangkok reception, officials said on Tuesday.
 The performance, put on for leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum on Monday evening, included one syrupy song especially
composed for the APEC group.
"I want the CDs," Koizumi was quoted by an official as telling his staff.
Koizumi, fond of karaoke and a big fan of Japanese rock band "X-Japan," sang
an Elvis song with actor Tom Cruise in August in Tokyo while the American actor
was in Japan to promote a film.
Japanese officials told reporters Koizumi was also impressed by a glittering
flotilla of royal Thai barges down Bangkok's Chao Phraya river after the musical
show.
Thailand spared no expense for the two-day summit that ended on Tuesday,
presenting presidents George W. Bush of the United States, Russia's Vladimir
Putin, Hu Jintao of China and other leaders with lavish gifts, including
diamond-encrusted gold boxes.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told reporters he was aware of
Koizumi's request and had ordered his staff to produce CDs for the Japanese
prime minister.
"He told me last night he really enjoyed the show and the music was very
pleasant," Thaksin said.
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