http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/ Photos, Stories and articles on East Asia Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:26:44 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/comment-page-1/#comment-52684 The Marmot Fri, 30 Jun 2006 04:37:07 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/#comment-52684 Why does it not surprise me that Koizumi is a fan of Wagner? Why does it not surprise me that Koizumi is a fan of Wagner?

]]> http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/comment-page-1/#comment-52555 AsiaPundit » Blog Archive » 6,585 Miles to Graceland Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:11:56 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/#comment-52555 [...] Japanese Prime Minister Junichro Koizumi is about to make another controversial shrine visit. But unlike his trips to the Yasukuni Shrine, Mutantfrog notes that he will not be able to brush this off simply as a visit by a private citizen.: The “King” never came to Japan, but Japan’s prime minister is making a pilgrimage to Graceland. Elvis fan Billy Morokawa says Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will likely feel the power of Presley’s enduring energy when he tours the rock-and-roll legend’s home in Memphis, Tennessee, Friday with President Bush. Did you see that? “Pilgrimage” There’s no way this visit is going to pass the church/state test, and visiting it alongside President Bush the “I was only going in my capacity as a private citizen” defense is never going to fly, particularly when considering his personal history in this cult. Koizumi, 64, is an Elvis devotee who not only shares a January 8 birthday with his idol, but picked out his songs for a 2001 charity album, “Junichiro Koizumi Presents My Favorite Elvis Songs.” The prime minister appears on the album’s cover standing next to Elvis outside Graceland in a composite picture. Back in 1987 when Koizumi was a mere lawmaker, he and his brother Masaya, now a senior adviser to the Tokyo fan club, helped raise funds to erect a status of Elvis in the Japanese capital to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death. Three years ago the prime minister, an eclectic music lover whose favorites also include German composer Richard Wagner, sang his favorite Elvis hit—“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You”—with actor Tom Cruise, then in Tokyo to promote his movie “The Last Samurai.” [...] [...] Japanese Prime Minister Junichro Koizumi is about to make another controversial shrine visit. But unlike his trips to the Yasukuni Shrine, Mutantfrog notes that he will not be able to brush this off simply as a visit by a private citizen.: The “King” never came to Japan, but Japan’s prime minister is making a pilgrimage to Graceland. Elvis fan Billy Morokawa says Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will likely feel the power of Presley’s enduring energy when he tours the rock-and-roll legend’s home in Memphis, Tennessee, Friday with President Bush. Did you see that? “Pilgrimage” There’s no way this visit is going to pass the church/state test, and visiting it alongside President Bush the “I was only going in my capacity as a private citizen” defense is never going to fly, particularly when considering his personal history in this cult. Koizumi, 64, is an Elvis devotee who not only shares a January 8 birthday with his idol, but picked out his songs for a 2001 charity album, “Junichiro Koizumi Presents My Favorite Elvis Songs.” The prime minister appears on the album’s cover standing next to Elvis outside Graceland in a composite picture. Back in 1987 when Koizumi was a mere lawmaker, he and his brother Masaya, now a senior adviser to the Tokyo fan club, helped raise funds to erect a status of Elvis in the Japanese capital to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death. Three years ago the prime minister, an eclectic music lover whose favorites also include German composer Richard Wagner, sang his favorite Elvis hit—“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You”—with actor Tom Cruise, then in Tokyo to promote his movie “The Last Samurai.” [...]

]]> http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/comment-page-1/#comment-52369 Adamu Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:46:41 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/06/28/yasukuni-all-over-again-2/#comment-52369 As much as I love Koizumi, he can't be allowed to flout the constitution so brazenly. Arrest him when he touches down at Narita! As much as I love Koizumi, he can’t be allowed to flout the constitution so brazenly. Arrest him when he touches down at Narita!

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