The Hatoyamas watch a Cirque du Soleil performer.

Hatoyamas check out Cirque du Soleil in Tokyo

Friday 06th November, 03:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, 62, and his wife Miyuki, 66, popped in to New Big Top in Harajuku this week to check out circus troupe Cirque du Soleil in action.

The pair took in the opening show and were treated to some special backstage performances. Miyuki complemented them on a job well done, and she was invited to give ladder-climbing a try. Yukio said Miyuki had brought him along to the show, and that he felt like a child again.

Actress Yukie Nakama, 30, appointed special supporter for the event, was also in attendance, as was newsman Tomoaki Ogura ,62, who was responsible for firing up the crowd. Ogura said he hoped the PM could forget the worries of his job and enjoy the show.

Cirque have performed their Corteo show in various locations throughout Japan since February, performing in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo again in their final and current show. They will perform until Jan 24 at the New Big Top venue inside National Yoyogi Stadium Olympic Plaza.

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10 Comments

Altria at 09:11 AM JST - 6th November

Doesn't hold a candle to the clown show in parliament.
The758 at 09:40 AM JST - 6th November

Tomoaki Ogura ,62, who was responsible for firing up the crowd

Um .. how?
Mittsu at 11:50 AM JST - 6th November

They should go to Brue Man next.
Yelnats at 01:13 PM JST - 6th November

Show his wife on the ladder in picture of the day.
AirBetweenTeeth at 01:30 PM JST - 6th November

"appointed special supporter for the event"

only in Japan . . .
stirfry at 02:15 PM JST - 6th November

nobody who's 62 is 'firing up' anything
thomyorke at 02:28 PM JST - 6th November

This is an embarassing new low for the Japanese Prime Minister... Starting to miss Koizumi..
biglittleman at 03:28 PM JST - 6th November

I thought Miyuki was also performing that night.
kp123 at 03:43 PM JST - 6th November

Some franchise. The company is worth nearly $500 million. Even in the recession, can't buy tickets in Vegas unless two months in advance. Worth seeing once and great acrobatics.
as_the_crow_flies at 08:32 PM JST - 7th November

and she was invited to give ladder-climbing a try.

She was probably too tied up communicating with Martians to come down to the Big Top.