Junichiro Koizumi

Junichiro Koizumi moves into voice acting to become Ultraman King

Wednesday 14th October, 05:44 AM JST

TOKYO —

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, 67, has agreed to be the voice of Ultraman King in “Mega Monster Battle - Ultra Galaxy Legend: The Movie,” after his son and first-term House of Representatives member Shinjiro Koizumi, 28, urged him to accept the part.

The role is the first of its kind for Koizumi and he initially refused, but Shinjiro, a big fan of the Ultraman series, called him to say he should do it - that it was just his voice and he didn’t have to act or anything in the movie. Koizumi recalled memories of watching the show with Shinjiro and his eldest son Kotaro, 31, and he agreed to take the job.

He began voice recording last month, with staff in the studio saying he was impressive and that they were reminded of his grand speeches during his career as a politician. One of his lines read: “We have to continue the fight, and support the weak. Rise again, warriors of the Land of Light. For peace and justice! For all the universe!”

His character Ultraman King is considered to be the god or elder of all Ultra heroes, with a height of 58 meters and a top flight speed of Mach 10. He lives on his own on the King Planet, and is said to be 300,000 years old.

Koizumi said he was looking forward to watching the finished product and lauded it for being something all generations of the family can enjoy.

“Ultra Galaxy Legend: The Movie” opens in cinemas on Dec 12.

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13 Comments

kawaiipineapple at 08:24 AM JST - 14th October

Is this a form of amakudari?
plasticmonkey at 09:07 AM JST - 14th October

his son and first-term House of Representatives member Shinjiro Koizumi, 28, urged him to accept the part

I'm glad Koizumi's son is taking his job seriously.
diggerdog at 09:45 AM JST - 14th October

im glad koizumis son is where he is today. Much nepotism is japanese politics?
neverknow2 at 10:02 AM JST - 14th October

This kind of thing is why Japanese are not 'cool' people. A line has to be drawn between the people and 'The Man'.
Wolfpack at 10:09 AM JST - 14th October

In the past, leaders of stature would never do things to undermine their legacy or to detract from their past accomplishments. I guess this is a good example of why there aren't many great leaders any more.
Potsu at 10:29 AM JST - 14th October

Hope he speaks more fluently than the start/stop style when he was PM...horrible voice.
timorborder at 10:47 AM JST - 14th October

Fair enough. This might put Koizumi on the short-list for the Nobel Peace Prize next year, because its seems that standards are slipping.
Patrick Smash at 12:12 PM JST - 14th October

I wonder if he consulted his third son about this or not.
stirfry at 05:37 PM JST - 14th October

67 ? he's almost old enough to be prime minister again
rajakumar at 05:39 PM JST - 14th October

My favourite Japanese PM is Junichiro Koizumi.
usaexpat at 01:25 AM JST - 15th October

Awesome, does he get to sing any Elvis tunes? Seriously though I can't really bag on Koizumi, he was one of Japan's few charismatic leaders.
Clinis at 10:53 PM JST - 16th October

Why does King Ultraman need a beard?
zurcronium at 11:10 PM JST - 16th October

Plot leak shows that Koizumi wants to privatize the King Planet.