Gere sweeps Japanese PM off his feet

29/03/2005 - 18:39:17
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had only one request when actor Richard Gere visited his office: “Shall we dance?”

Gere, who is in Japan to promote his ovie, a Hollywood remake of the Japanese box-office hit Shall We Dance, accepted Koizumi’s invitation, but insisted that he would lead.

“I’ll be the man,” Gere said before the two twirled for a few seconds in Koizumi’s office.

Koizumi, who has been called “the Japanese Richard Gere” because of his resemblance to the actor, discussed his love of movies in a brief meeting with the actor.

They also talked about their mutual affection for the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto.