Tuesday May 13, 2008
Japanese get premier of their dreams -- on TV
By Isabel Reynolds
TOKYO (Reuters) - Lumbered for months with an unpopular leader, the Japanese are at last on track to get the prime minister of their dreams -- at least in a television drama.
In "Change," one of Japan's best-loved actors plays a tousle-haired teacher turned reformist politician, reviving memories of former premier Junichiro Koizumi, even as media speculate the popular maverick might stage a comeback.
If Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was watching the first episode on Monday, he may have found it an uncomfortable reminder of his own failure to capture voters' hearts.
Koizumi, who stepped down in September 2006, has resurfaced this month in domestic newspapers with a series of interviews about his new book, "Musical Wanderings," a memoir of his enthusiasm for music ranging from opera to Japanese pop.
TV chat shows have used the book as an excuse to dust off footage of the former leader, who was treated like a rock star in Japan, trilling an aria with opera singers and crooning an Elvis number to an astonished U.S. President George W. Bush.
"Only people who don't know me could say that," Koizumi, 66, told the Asahi newspaper last week when asked about a comeback. "Being prime minister is tough. You are constantly fighting all sorts of enemies."
Refusing to accept Koizumi's description of himself as "yesterday's man", media follow his every move.
POPULARITY TIPS
Whoever takes over from the dour 71-year-old Fukuda, who is under pressure to step down as his problems pile up and support rates plunge, could take tips on popularity from actor Takuya Kimura, about to become TV's latest fictional prime minister.
Voted Japan's sexiest man by one women's magazine for more than ten years in a row, the 35-year-old has made a name for playing cool outsiders in TV dramas that regularly top viewer ratings.
If broadcaster Fuji TV has its way, "Change" will add to Kimura's list of hits. With the theme tune off Madonna's "Hard Candy" album and an all-star cast, they are sparing no expense.
But Kimura is playing against type in this role as a geeky teacher who is forced into standing in a by-election and who is then shocked to discover he has won. Some tabloids have suggested his popularity may be on the wane.
If he decides to look for a new career, the path from showbusiness to politics is a well-trodden one in Japan.
"I have been imagining what a wonderful country Japan would be if Mr Kimura really became prime minister," one fan in her twenties said in a message posted on the programme's Web site.
But the actor denied any long-held dreams of political success in an interview published on Fuji TV's Web site.
"When I was at kindergarten, there were always a few people in each class who dreamed of becoming prime minister. But I had absolutely no thought of that," Kimura said.
"This is the first time I've really looked at politics and the job of prime minister."
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- No licence to try offenders
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Draw valuable, life-saving lessons from tragedies
- RM849mil owed by various state agencies
- Indonesia seizes ammonium nitrate shipment from Malaysia
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
RSS
