Japanese ambassador sings for US governor

BISMARCK, North Dakota (AP) — Japan's ambassador to the U.S. earned some laughs in North Dakota when he mentioned the movie "Fargo" and made a solid attempt at singing a country song about the governor's home area.

Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki joined Gov. Jack Dalrymple on Tuesday at the state Capitol. He discussed North Dakota's opportunities for expanded trade with Japan, including the potential export of liquefied natural gas.

But he also drew laughter when he tried singing the country folk standard "Red River Valley," saying he was inspired by Dalrymple's eastern North Dakota roots.

The governor laughed, saying he shouldn't have revealed he was from the Red River Valley.

The ambassador also joked that his first North Dakota impressions came from the movie "Fargo," which caricatures the Midwestern accent that prevails in parts of the state.