Youth Hockey Style

Youth Hockey Style

First, a caveat or two: the survey that will be discussed was conducted in Japan last year, so a number of the world's most handsome politicians are no longer in the politicking business. In addition, although the survey was trying to find the best-looking on the world stage, the number two in particular reflects a very inward-looking view, and even a very myopic view, as the beauty of this politician is most certainly in the eye of the beholder. Let's do the top five in reverse order:

5. Vladimir Putin

I suppose there is a certain something about him, although his handsomeness reminds me more of an evil villain in a James Bond movie that a leader of a country. His politics on the other hand are very ugly. My personal political hot-o-meter 3.5 out of 10.

4. Hillary Clinton

The would-be first female president of the USA was beaten in the polls by Barack Obama (who in his own right would do well in a new most handsome politician poll) this year, but she is still a big favourite in Japan and with me too. 8.5 out of 10, but minus one point for some of the rather frumpy fashion choices she makes.

3. Tony Blair

Although his years at Number 10 took their toll on his looks, when he became British Prime Minister he would be certainly deserving of his ranking in the "World's Hottest Politician" list with his winning smile and charming ways, although they did begin to grate on much of the population of the UK when he thought his turning on the charm could make people forgive his political missteps, resulting in a rather ignoble exit. The hot-o-meter says 7 out of 10.

2. Shintaro Ishihara

Oh dear. Oh dearie me. The governor of Tokyo is approximately 137 years old, and with attitudes to women, foreigners, and just about everyone else to match. His brother who died young was a very famous and handsome movie idol, and Shintaro himself may have been dashing in his youth, but now - he has charisma, I suppose, but nothing else. The hot-o-meter says you must be joking!

1. Junichiro Koizumi

Of course, who else could be number one in Japanese hearts other than the lovable, cuddly Jun-chan, with his flowing locks and ready smile that carried him to the top of the Japanese political tree and charmed the pants off (not literally, I hope) George W. Bush (himself tenth on the Japanese list) with his Elvis renditions, and who met his Hollywood double, Richard Gere, and tripped the light fantastic with him. 100 out of 10, in a most masculine and manly way, of course, and a most worthy winner of the World's Hottest Politician rankings in Japanese eyes, and someone who would be seen as a most handsome politician the world over.

If the survey were conducted again this month how would Governer Sarah Palin do? Although on the internet in particular there is not much love lost for her politics, her Hockey Mom charms have melted many a heart and her photos from her beauty queen days are keenly sought. With three out of the top five hottest politicians above having now retired and a fourth ever more decrepit, surely she must be a shoo-in for one of the top three slots in the Japanese "World's Hottest Politicians" rankings?

Ken Yasumoto-Nicolson blogs about matters Japanese at What Japan Thinks, covering not just the world's hottest politicians but many other topics both serious and frivolous.