Surprise Segway gift

In the latest sign of their chummy ties, US President George W. Bush gifted Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a Segway electric scooter on 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 metre 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.