The last time NEWSWEEK interviewed a Japanese prime minister's wife, a decade ago, Kumiko Hashimoto confessed that she wanted to attend fewer official functions but knew it was her main job.

But Kumiko has no hope of reaching Fargo until a corporate credit card falls into her hands. Then she lurches into action, sending Bunzo away — literally — before flying to Minneapolis.

The link was created to coincide with the Europe Asia summit in London, and Mrs Blair and Mrs Kumiko Hashimoto, wife of the Japanese prime minister, and Mrs Kim Dae-jung, wife of the ...