Junichiro Koizumi [C], was joined by Cruise [L] and director Edward Zwick

Cruise said he had invited Mr Koizumi to the premi�re of his latest film, The Last Samurai, in which he stars.

Cruise plays a US army captain hired by the 19th-Century Emperor of Japan to create a Japanese army.

He praised the prime minister's "intelligence", adding he was "a pretty good singer".

Two years ago Mr Koizumi, who shares his birthday with Elvis, released a personal selection of his favourite Elvis Presley songs on CD.

Cruise, who did not reveal which Elvis songs they had sung, was in Tokyo to promote his movie, which was partly filmed in Japan and is due for release in September.