Koizumi rides Segway to work

Mr Koizumi said he felt comfortable on board

Japan's media-friendly Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi turned up to work on Friday on a new motorised Segway scooter.

It was the first time Mr Koizumi had been seen on the scooter since he was given it as a present by US President George W Bush.

Mr Koizumi said he got to grips with the machine at his home on Thursday.

He steered around his courtyard and reversed easily.

"It's pretty comfortable," he told reporters.

Mr Bush has appeared less at ease, falling off his Segway in 2003.

Mr Koizumi, with his trademark flowing hair, is not averse to a photo opportunity. In June, in a bid to promote less air conditioning in offices, he appeared in an open-necked Okinawan shirt.