Free Republic

Loving tender and holding tight are about more than Elvis for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi . Beneath the spontaneity and flamboyance that his countrymen sum up as Koizumi Theater lies heartfelt compassion. On Thursday last week, the day before he went to Graceland, Koizumi spent some quality time with U.S. soldiers wounded in Iraq and recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Koizumi, boyish with a bohemian hair flip, chatted with several patients and posed for pictures with them and their families on the hospital's fifth floor, the Japanese Embassy's minister for public affairs, Mitsuru Kitano , said...

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush will spend the Fourth of July holiday with troops and their families at Fort Bragg in the state of North Carolina, where he says he will thank them for their service in what he calls freedom's cause. The President's 60th birthday is coming up this Thursday. So the Associated Press published some GWB quips about his age: "Security is strong at the airports. I hope they stop taking off the shoes of the elderly. I must confess, they haven't taken off my shoes lately at the airport." — Jan. 23, at Kansas State...

Today President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tiured the Elvis Presley's Grace Land Mansion in Memphis Tenn. Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley were the tour guides for the President , First Lady and Prime Minister Koizumi. The three of them also visited the Hotel where Rev. Martin Luther King was assissinated. Tonight the President was in Ohio for a fund raiser for Senator Mike Dewine

President Bush, the first lady and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi are going whole hog on their visit to Memphis Friday. They've selected the Rendezvous for lunch after less than two hours at Graceland. According to an abbreviated schedule subject to revision, the White House says Bush and Koizumi will tour Graceland Friday morning before heading Downtown for lunch at the landmark barbecue joint. There are no details yet on who will be guests at the luncheon gathering in the Bluff City institution in the alley behind South Second Street. The restaurant was closed Monday, as usual, and owner Charles...

President Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a press conference (text and video here) at the White House to discuss the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia (including North Korea), and enhancing closer cooperation on global economic issues (including Japan now agreeing to open its markets to US beef). This is Koizumi's farewell visit, as he steps down from his position as Prime Minister in September. President and Mrs. Bush will host an official dinner tonight for the Prime Minister. Secretary of State Rice continues her G8 Foreign Minister Summit...