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Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa blamed his cold medicine. But Nakagawa must have been doing some serious Robotrippin' before the 2009 G7 meeting in Rome, because the man was all over the place: slurring his words, answering the wrong questions, and — wait a minute, did he just fall asleep?!? Nakagawa denied rumors that he was drunk and instead claimed that a dose of cold medicine, a "sip" of wine, and extreme jet lag led to his incoherence. Whatever the reason, Nakagawa's blunder cost him his job. Upon returning to Tokyo, he resigned on Feb. 17 and was replaced by Minister of the Economy Kaoru Yosano. — Tiziana Fabi—AFP/Getty Images

Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa blamed his cold medicine. But Nakagawa must have been doing some serious Robotrippin' before the 2009 G7 meeting in Rome, because the man was all over the place: slurring his words, answering the wrong questions, and — wait a minute, did he just fall asleep?!? Nakagawa denied rumors that he was drunk and instead claimed that a dose of cold medicine, a "sip" of wine, and extreme jet lag led to his incoherence. Whatever the reason, Nakagawa's blunder cost him his job. Upon returning to Tokyo, he resigned on Feb. 17 and was replaced by Minister of the Economy Kaoru Yosano.

Japanese PM Kiichi Miyazawa shakes hands with President George Bush after collapsing during dinner on Jan. 9, 1992.

The Heads Of States Take Position For The Traditionnal Family Photo During The G8 Summit In Saint Petersburg. On July 16Th, 2006. In Saint Petersbourg, Russia.

President George W. Bush speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Jan. 13, 2006 in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) spe

Running a country can be very boring work. Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert was famous for falling asleep in public — especially during musical performances — but at least he was never caught on video. Former President Bill Clinton wasn't so lucky. When the bleary-eyed dignitary fell asleep during a 2008 memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mid-speech nap time was recorded for all the world to see. Love the sudden "I'm awake!" head-jerk, Mr. Clinton. It didn't work for us in our 8 a.m. college classes, and it's not working for you now.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R)

President Gerald Ford had a particularly amusing knee injury; apparently, it made him fall down. Or at least, that's what he claimed. While visiting Austria in 1975, the President's bum knee gave way and he tumbled down the Air Force One stairs. A few more falls (one was even up the stairs) combined with Chevy Chase's Saturday Night Live pratfall routine, earned the former University of Michigan football star a reputation as a bumbling klutz. Well, at least it's better than no reputation at all.

Boris Yeltsin

Jimmy Carter Passing Honor Guard

US President Barack Obama (C) and US Fir

Before the 2009 G7 meeting in Rome, Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa was all over the place: slurring his words

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Tiziana Fabi—AFP/Getty Images

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Top 11 Embarrassing Diplomatic Moments

Nov 11, 2014

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