July 25, 2002

TOKYO - Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, living in self-imposed exile in Japan, has fallen in love with a Tokyo hotel executive and intends to marry her, according to report published Thursday.

The 63-year-old former president, who fled Peru in disgrace two years ago, met the woman — an unnamed Tokyo hotel executive in her mid-30s — via mutual acquaintances in March, said the report in the popular weekly Shukan Shincho magazine.

The report featured pictures of the couple eating at a swanky restaurant and visiting Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead, including World War II war criminals, are enshrined.

The magazine said Fujimori is considering starting life anew with the woman. In an interview, he reportedly said, "Since getting divorced, she is the first woman I have met who I would want to marry."

Fujimori divorced his first wife, Susana Higuchi, in 1996.

Peru has sought Fujimori's extradition on charges of crimes against humanity, embezzlement and torture. But Tokyo has repeatedly refused, citing that Japanese nationals cannot be extradited under Japanese law. Fujimori was recognized as a Japanese national in December 2000 after fleeing Peru.

Fujimori, who rarely appears in public and avoids the press, could not be reached for comment.

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