Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attends the unveiling of the Elvis Presley statue in Kobe.

Junichiro Koizumi rocks up to unveiling of Elvis statue in Kobe

Tuesday 11th August, 02:00 AM JST

KOBE —

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, 67, attended a ceremony in Kobe Harborland on Sunday held to unveil the Elvis Presley statue that sat outside the Love Me Tender store in Tokyo’s Harajuku since 1987, but was removed in January this year following the closure of the store.

Koizumi joined the crowd of about 1,000 Elvis Presley fans who braved the rain for the unveiling of the statue, which was originally paid for by the former prime minister along with contributions from several hundred other fans. Koizumi said that his love for Elvis was handy in diplomatic relations at times, and in the end seemingly outshone the statue amid the cries of “Jun-chan” that came from the crowd.

Kobe, known as the birthplace of jazz in Japan, was chosen as the new location for the statue after locals campaigned to have it brought to the port city. Harajuku was chosen for the first site in 1987 – 10 years after The King’s passing.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

sfjp330 at 08:54 AM JST - 11th August

In 2006, when Koizumi visited the U.S., Pres. Bush and Prisilla Presley invited him to Graceland. Home of Elvis. He must had fond memories.
Angelo at 09:00 AM JST - 11th August

Look where we are. This guy took to new levels of making Japan one of the poorest country. Yes that's right. Look how the quality of life of the average Japanese has turned out to be by business only friendly policies.

Anyone wants Koizumi back, wants a further deteoriation of life style.
bdaniel08 at 09:46 AM JST - 11th August

You are right "tigris" !

This Koizumi had a big personnality but he was an extrem rightist hawk and so a big friend of Bush...there is no need to tell more than that !
Farmboy at 10:52 AM JST - 11th August

These days, if a politician has intelligence and style, I appreciate it, even if I don't agree with policy, and hey, Koizumi likes Elvis. He can't be all bad.
Noripinhead at 11:35 AM JST - 11th August

"Kobe, known as the birthplace of jazz in Japan." I love it. I wonder what the birthplace of jazz in Russia is.
LoveUSA at 11:40 AM JST - 11th August

Still handsome at 67! However Hashimoto sori looks more like Elvis Presley so he shold have been at the event.
spudman at 11:48 AM JST - 11th August

Koizumi is great due to his lack of blunders, that's a pretty low bar. Good riddance to the LDP I say.
dr_jones at 12:03 PM JST - 11th August

"he should become prime minister again, what a waste of his talents".

Really? You want such a right-wing to become PM again?

The Statue looks like it's not in scale, too small I would say. Maybe it's the Japanese Elvis?
Farmboy at 12:03 PM JST - 11th August

"Kobe, known as the birthplace of jazz in Japan." I love it. I wonder what the birthplace of jazz in Russia is.

Well, since you ask, jazz has a rather long history in Russia. http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/720/

Jazz is still very popular in Japan.
Apsara at 01:40 PM JST - 11th August

However Hashimoto sori looks more like Elvis Presley so he shold have been at the event.

He looked more like Elvis perhaps. Hard for him to attend when he died 3 years ago though.
WMD at 04:12 PM JST - 11th August

Hard for him to attend when he died 3 years ago though

That's no problem, most politicians are dead anyway. Brain dead.
Badsey at 07:28 PM JST - 11th August

Koizumi needs to look after his hair better -that's his trademark, but his generosity to his public never surprises me. Politicians need to get on the walk more and listen to the public.

Koizumi retired at the right time -Who wants to be in politics now -such bitterness.
bamboohat at 09:46 PM JST - 11th August

homeboy ain't got nothin on ol tricky dick:

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office/oval-office-nixon-and-elvis.jpg
presto345 at 02:41 PM JST - 12th August

Koizumi looks electrified. Elvis's guitar?
The758 at 08:54 AM JST - 14th August

Most young Japanese don't even know who Elvis was. Heathens.