Bush Gives Japanese Prime Minister Gift (Bought Him A Segway) [View All]

wonder if he offered to teach him to ride it?



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KYOTO, Japan (Reuters) - In the latest sign of their chummy ties, U.S. President George W. Bush gave Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a surprise gift of a Segway electric scooter Wednesday and urged him to take a spin.

Bush, who often refers to his warm friendship with Koizumi, gave the Japanese leader the upright two-wheeler ahead of a summit at which they reaffirmed their close diplomatic ties.

Bush was riding the vehicle when he met Koizumi outside the Kyoto State Guest House in the ancient Japanese capital, a Japanese pool report said.

Urged by Bush to give it a whirl, Koizumi took a brief 1 meter (3 ft) ride, and cried out, "Oh, very good."

Bush told the prime minister he'd given his father, former President George Bush, and mother, Barbara, Segways for their birthdays, adding he felt Koizumi was almost one of the family.

The close ties between the two allies were on public display later in the day when Bush told a news conference: "Prime Minister Koizumi is one of my best friends in the international community. I know the prime minister well.

"I trust his judgment. I admire his leadership."