Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to skip G8: Japan

TOKYO (AFP) — A top Japanese official voiced disappointment Wednesday that French supermodel-turned-First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will not accompany her husband Nicolas Sarkozy to next week's Group of Eight summit.

"As one Japanese citizen, I am disappointed that the popular First Lady won't be able to visit," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, the government's spokesman, told reporters.

It would be the second time Japan's eager tabloids have missed the chance to see Bruni as Sarkozy also put off plans to visit Japan earlier this.

But Machimura denied Sarkozy was taking Japan lightly.

"That's a shortsighted view," he said. "There will be another opportunity."

Bruni, who swapped vows with ...