Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > March, 2006

Cherry Blossom Queen and Princess Pay Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister Wednesday, March 29, 2006 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from Ms. Inger Marleen Bachmann, the Cherry Blossom Princess of Hamburg, from Germany, and Ms. Tomoko Miki, the Japan Cherry Blossom Queen, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Seeing the two in their magnificent dress and kimono, Prime Minister Koizumi remarked, "Beautiful." Ms. Miki was elected the 21st Japan Cherry Blossom Queen on March 4, and is scheduled to visit the United States and Germany as a goodwill ambassador for cherry blossom. She will also participate in cherry blossom festivals and other events held across Japan. Ms. Bachmann was crowned as the 24th Cherry Blossom Princess of Hamburg at the contest held last May in Hamburg. She came to Japan at the end of this month to take part in official events as a goodwill ambassador from Hamburg. Receiving from Ms. Bachmann a CD of the music of Mozart, who has ties to Germany, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude, saying, "Your name is Bachmann, not Bach. I like both Mozart and Bach. Thank you very much for your gift."