President George Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on route to visit Graceland today. Referring to the title of an Elvis Presley song, he told reporters waiting to ask questions: ''Don't Be Cruel - keep that in mind.'' In return Bush gave Koizumi a jukebox during their meeting. The first song, Koizumi said will play on the old-fashioned jukebox that only plays 45 rpm vinyl records will be Presley's ''I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.'' After the two spoke about topics ranging from North Korea's missile program to the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Suddenly Koizumi wrapped up the news conference, in English. ''Thank you very much, American people, for 'Love Me Tender'.  Most of the questions from the US media were about yesterday's US Supreme Court ruling declaring Bush's Guantanamo Bay military tribunals illegal. As one Japanese diplomat put it: ''It started with Don't Be Cruel finished with Love Me Tender and in the middle was Jailhouse Rock.'' Koizumi gave Bush a contemporary ink drawing giant portrait of the baseball legend of Babe Ruth in Japan.

We all know Bill Clinton & Boris Yeltsin are Elvis fans, but did you know that Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan is also an avid Elvis fan. Not only that, Koizumi is proud to share the same birthday with his hero every January 8.  Koizumi & President Bush toured Graceland on June 30

Koizumi's great wish was to see upstairs at Graceland which has never been open to the public.  Even a head of state could convince the Presley family to get special treatment. As always, the upstairs of the house, including the bathroom where Elvis died, will be discreetly cordoned off.  Jack Soden, CEO of EPE Inc, defends the partial view of Elvis's home, saying: "There is no respectful or dignified way to include it in a tour of the house." Koizumi can't see Elvis' bedroom but you can

It will be Koizumi his first trip abroad since being swept into power in late April. The two leaders, who have both stressed the significance of the Japanese-U.S. alliance. Junichiro Koizumi rose to power in the party election and has assumed the office of Japan's Prime Minister in April 2001. Unlike most of his predecessors in the nation's political scene, Koizumi is a man of idiosyncrasy. 

He declared himself as a "crank" or hen-jin (in Japanese)  and an avid Elvis Presley fan wearing unique hair style makes him kind of oddity among his rather "faceless" party colleagues.

"I have been an Elvis fan since my young days and love music from classics to rock" Indeed, Mr. Koizumi has been one of the important figures to support the Japanese, Elvis Presley Fan Club.

Mr. Masaya Koizumi, the Prime Minister's younger brother, is the senior consultant and assists the fan club's efforts to keep the Elvis Presley memory and music legacy alive in Japan. 

Without the Koizumi brothers' resolute participation, Elvis statue could not have become a reality 14 years ago. Then only a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Koizumi, stood in the line of honor during the unveiling ceremony of the statue July 19, 1987. When, Elvis: The Concert toured Japan, he was seen among fanatical audiences stomping the floor and yelling the cheers. "He knew everything about Elvis, and even words of many songs," confessed Tad Akazawa, the president of the fan club who was seat next to the Prime Minister Mr. Koizumi, then told the press, "Having the Prime Minister who is a devoted Elvis fan is a great honor for the nation's people as a whole."

"Young Bush mimicked Elvis before the classmates when he was in elementary school. There is no doubt that the relationship between Japan and U.S. delves into real understanding of opposite partner" "Yes, I really love Elvis. I am not fussy about genres of music, from classics to rock. However, Elvis, I admit has been my favorite singer for a very long time. It was my younger brother, who is also an Elvis maniac enlightened me about Elvis."

"But I took a liking to Elvis as he was before he went into the army. I watch with excitement when he made his sensational debut on television. Elvis is the best and a class by himself. Whether he sings rock or ballad or any type of songs." 

"I never get tired of listening no matter how many times I hear him over more than 40 years in my life. My favourite Elvis songs have to be, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water…" When "Elvis: The Concert" came to Japan in Nov. 1999, I went to Tokyo Forum not to miss this once-in-my-life chance. It was so electrifying! Really touching."

Since I took office (of the Prime Minister), I have been so busy that I literally have no time for sleep. But on weekends, when I find time to be back (to my private) home, and I can afford listening to Elvis songs after weeks long craving. "His voice eases off my fatigue." "There has never be a superstar like Elvis before nor after Elvis! Elvis is the greatest singer ever lived in the 20th century."

"These days, I feel sort of healing power from his Gospels songs. No doubt, Elvis' recordings are godsend  legacy of art from the last century. Elvis will be remembered forever, so will his songs." We should share this legacy with many more people, not just Elvis fans, but more especially we should teach the younger generation about this 50’s generation singer who was our hero"  Guess who is also an avid Elvis fans?