The meeting , which included a brief photo session with frontman Ian Gillan and other members, offered a rare reprieve for a leader facing mounting geopolitical and economic pressures. 

Since taking office in October 2025 as Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has contended with diplomatic tensions with China, a weakening yen, rising prices, and the risk of an energy crunch linked to instability in the Middle East.

For a moment, however, the demands of office gave way to something more personal: a lifelong fan meeting the band that shaped her musical identity.

Takaichi’s deep roots in music

Takaichi’s connection to hard rock and heavy metal runs deep. She told the band she first bought their landmark album Machine Head as a grade school student, drawn to signature tracks such as Smoke on the Water and Highway Star.

In her earlier years, the premier played keyboard in a Deep Purple tribute band in middle school before switching to drums at university, a transition that cemented her as an amateur drummer. Even today, she has joked about turning to the drums to relieve stress, quipping that she plays “Burn” after arguments at home.

Her tastes extend across the genre, with Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden also among her cited influences.

This musical background has occasionally crossed into diplomacy. In January, Takaichi shared a lighthearted drum session with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung following a bilateral summit in Nara, where the two leaders played K-pop tracks side by side and exchanged signed drumsticks in a symbolic gesture of cooperation.

Who are Deep Purple?

Formed in 1968 , Deep Purple is widely regarded as a cornerstone of hard rock and early heavy metal, helping define a heavier, more experimental sound that would shape generations of musicians.

Their relationship with Japan is particularly significant. The 1972 double live album Made in Japan, recorded during their first tour of the country, is often cited among the greatest live rock recordings — cementing their reputation as a formidable live act.

More than five decades later, that bond endures. The band is set to kick off its 2026 Japan tour on April 11 at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan.

For Takaichi, the visit was both symbolic and personal. 

“I have the deepest respect for the way you continue to make rock history,” she told the group.

But in recent month, Takaichi has shown a markedly different side.

During a January meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Takaichi sat behind a drum kit and joined him in a brief performance of K-pop hits, including BTS’ “Dynamite.” The jam session, held in Nara, her hometown, capped Lee’s official visit and quickly went viral online.

It was a nod to Takaichi’s past as a heavy metal drummer and, as she later wrote, fulfilled Lee’s long-held wish to play the instrument.

Weeks later, Takaichi again leaned into cultural symbolism during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. At a joint appearance in Tokyo, the two leaders cupped their hands and mimicked the “Kamehameha,” a signature move from the globally popular anime Dragon Ball.

The moment, shared widely on social media, offered a stark contrast to the substance of their discussions, where Macron stressed Europe’s “predictability” in uncertain times, taking an apparent swipe at U.S. policy under Donald Trump .

As she navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, Takaichi appears to be adding a new tool to her playbook.

From drum kits to anime gestures, Japan’s “Iron Lady” is showing that even the most hardline leaders can wield a softer touch — and that, in diplomacy, personality can be as powerful as policy .

What happened

Why it matters

Context

Aftermath

Moscow described the mission as routine, saying the aircraft carried out scheduled patrols and training exercises, including aerial refuelling, in full compliance with international airspace rules. 

The flights took place outside Japanese territorial airspace, and no official response has yet been issued by Tokyo on whether assets were scrambled to monitor the activity.

What happened

According to the Russian defence ministry , MiG-31I aircraft equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducted patrol flights over neutral waters in the Sea of Japan. Crews practised in-flight refuelling as part of the exercise. The ministry characterised the mission as a standard operation by the Aerospace Forces.

Why it matters

The patrols were disclosed publicly by Moscow — an unusual step — and occurred just ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to the United States. Analysts say the timing suggests the flights may have been intended to signal Russia’s military capabilities and presence in the region.

The capability

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an air-launched hypersonic missile, reportedly derived from the Iskander short-range ballistic missile. Russia says it can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 and strike targets at distances of around 2,000 kilometres, with the ability to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. However, some Western experts have questioned the extent of its hypersonic performance, noting interceptions during the war in Ukraine.

Relationship under strain

Russian and Chinese military activity near Japan’s airspace regularly triggers monitoring operations by Japanese forces. Recent surveillance missions have included Japanese aircraft tracking foreign naval movements near the archipelago. Relations between Tokyo and Moscow remain strained, particularly over a long-running territorial dispute and Japan’s support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

The bigger picture

Some analysts view the flights as a demonstration that Russia can sustain a military presence in key maritime corridors linking Northeast Asia to the Pacific. The move also comes amid shifting global deployments, with the United States engaged in other conflicts, potentially altering regional security dynamics.

Japan is unlikely to send forces to the Strait of Hormuz

At the centre of the meeting is Trump’s push for allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route effectively disrupted amid the Iran conflict .

Washington has urged partners, including Japan, to contribute naval assets such as minesweepers to protect shipping. But Tokyo has drawn a firm line. Takaichi has repeatedly signalled that deploying the Self-Defense Forces would be “legally difficult,” constrained by Japan’s pacifist constitution and the risks of engaging in a state-to-state conflict.

This makes direct military involvement highly unlikely, setting up what could be the summit’s most sensitive point of friction.

Takaichi will try to balance alliance pressure with domestic limits

The meeting is widely viewed as a diplomatic test for Takaichi, who must navigate competing pressures: maintaining strong ties with Washington while adhering to legal and political constraints at home.

Public support for involvement in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran remains low, and any move towards deployment could trigger backlash. Yet Japan’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil — most of which passes through Hormuz — leaves it deeply exposed to prolonged disruption.

Takaichi is expected to clearly outline “what Japan can and cannot do,” seeking to reassure Trump without overstepping constitutional boundaries.

Japan is expected to offer non-military support instead

While ruling out combat roles, Tokyo is likely to propose alternative contributions.

These could include intelligence-sharing, logistical coordination, evacuation support and diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising the region. Officials have also hinted at possible limited deployments for surveillance or research purposes, particularly after any ceasefire.

Such measures would allow Japan to demonstrate alignment with the U.S. without becoming directly entangled in the conflict.

Broader security and economic cooperation will remain on the agenda

Despite the dominance of the Iran crisis, both sides are expected to advance discussions on other strategic priorities.

These include China’s growing military activity, risks surrounding Taiwan , and North Korea’s weapons programmes. Economic and technological cooperation — from missile defence to energy diversification — is also likely to feature, even as immediate geopolitical tensions take precedence.

The alliance will be tested but likely held together

Trump and Takaichi have had warm ties since the latter rose to power in October 2025.

But their summit comes at a volatile moment, with Trump signalling frustration at allies and raising expectations for burden-sharing.

For Takaichi, the challenge will be to show Japan remains a reliable partner while avoiding commitments that could breach its legal framework or inflame domestic opinion.

How both leaders manage these tensions may shape not only Japan’s role in the Middle East crisis, but also the future tone of one of the region’s most important alliances.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also taken a clearer public stance than Chinese President Xi Jinping, condemning the war and particularly Iran’s attacks on civilian facilities.

Additionally, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday urged Iran to exercise restraint during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling for an early de-escalation as attacks between the warring sides intensify.

“The continued exchange of attacks has worsened the regional situation, and I called for an early de-escalation,” Motegi told reporters.

He also pressed Iran to stop attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf states and end threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which much of Japan’s energy imports pass. Motegi additionally sought the release of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran.

Oil release pledge

The diplomatic engagement comes as Tokyo moves aggressively to cushion the economic fallout from the conflict.

Japan has pledged to release 80 million barrels of oil as part of an unprecedented 400-million-barrel coordinated intervention by 32 members of the International Energy Agency, aimed at calming markets shaken by the prospect of supply disruptions.

Takaichi said the government would begin releasing oil reserves as early as Monday as tankers struggle to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“As oil tankers continue to be virtually unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, oil imports into our country are expected to decrease significantly from later this month,” Takaichi said.

Japan plans to release 15 days’ worth of private reserves and one month of state reserves, marking the first time the country has independently tapped its stockpiles to stabilise markets.

Preparations at home

But back home, the crisis is also reshaping Japan’s domestic energy debate. 

Opposition leader Yuichiro Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People has called for the country to restart all available nuclear reactors to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern fuel.

“Unless we make full use of nuclear power… electricity bills will inevitably rise,” Tamaki said.

Japan shut down all 54 reactors after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, but only 15 of the remaining operable units have since restarted.

Economic officials are also preparing for wider economic fallout , with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama saying the government was coordinating with G7 partners and stood ready to act against market volatility triggered by the conflict.

“Markets are very volatile in the wake of developments in Iran. We are ready to take all necessary steps, coordinating closely and nimbly with overseas authorities,” she told parliament.

With energy security and market stability at stake, Tokyo appears increasingly ready to step into the diplomatic and economic space left open.

In a social media post, she said she had hoped the gifts would be “beneficial” to lawmakers. 

“We thought of items that would be useful for activities as members of parliament, but with no time to select appropriate items for each individual…we decided to provide catalog gifts so that each member could choose items beneficial to their political activities,” Takaichi said.

Speaking in the upper chamber of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, Takaichi insisted there was “no legal problem” with the distribution. 

She said the catalogues were funded not by state subsidies but by the LDP branch in Nara Prefecture’s No. 2 constituency, which she heads. According to her explanation, the total cost amounted to roughly ¥9.45 million ($60,700), including tax and delivery fees.

This row erupted after opposition lawmaker Masayo Tanabu of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan questioned the value of the gifts, their funding source and their purpose. 

Against the law?

Japan’s Political Funds Control Act prohibits donations connected to the political activities of candidates and bars contributions to individual politicians. 

Although, Takaichi maintained that the catalogues constituted permissible political spending by a local party branch, rather than personal donations. 

She also said she had considered hosting celebratory dinners but opted for catalogues due to scheduling pressures, including preparations for a policy speech and diplomatic engagements.

However, the episode has revived broader concerns about money and politics within the LDP. 

A series of past disclosures involving gift vouchers and opaque funding practices under previous administrations has already fuelled public scepticism about the party’s financial culture.

Tanabu drew comparisons with a controversy last year, when former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba apologised for distributing gift vouchers worth ¥100,000 ($640) each to 15 LDP lawmakers.

Additionally, former prime minister Fumio Kishida reportedly distributed gift vouchers worth ¥100,000 yen ($640) each at a gathering with parliamentary vice-ministers while he was in office.

The decline was driven largely by a steep fall in arrivals from mainland China amid simmering political tensions and travel disruptions.

The tourism agency said the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday weighed on travel, as it fell in mid-February this year rather than late January in 2025. 

It also cited a Chinese government advisory warning against travel to Japan and reduced flight frequencies.

Tensions have escalated since November, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially triggering a military response.

Beijing has criticised the remarks. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the Munich Security Conference that forces in Japan were seeking to “revive militarism,” while China’s foreign ministry said dialogue must be based on mutual respect.

Tourism flows had already shown strain in December, when arrivals from mainland China fell 45% to around 330,000.

Trump said the projects would “revitalise the industrial base”, create “hundreds of thousands of great American jobs”, and strengthen the U.S. national and economic security “like never before.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce , three major energy and industrial projects have been confirmed as part of the opening wave of investment.

Where Japan’s money will go

The largest is a $33 billion natural gas power facility near Portsmouth, Ohio. With a planned capacity of 9.2 gigawatts, the Portsmouth Powered Land project would rank among the biggest gas-fired generation developments in the world.

The plant will be operated by SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japan’s SoftBank. The project is designed to provide large-scale, dispatchable electricity to support industrial expansion and grid reliability.

Trump highlighted the Ohio development in his post, describing it as the largest gas power plant “in history” and crediting tariffs as central to unlocking projects of such scale.

In Texas, a separate $2.1 billion deepwater crude oil export terminal is planned in Brazoria County and the Gulf of America. The Texas GulfLink facility will be operated by Sentinel Midstream.

At full capacity, the terminal is expected to generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in annual US crude exports, potentially totalling $400 billion to $600 billion over 20 years, the Commerce Department said. 

The third investment is an approximately $600 million high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond grit facility in Georgia, to be operated by Element Six.

Diamond grit and powder are essential in semiconductor, automotive and oil and gas manufacturing, valued for their extreme hardness and durability. US officials say boosting domestic supply is strategically important for advanced manufacturing and national security .

Together, the projects signal Japan’s financial commitment to anchoring capital in key American energy and industrial sectors, as Washington and Tokyo — and Takaichi and Trump — deepen ties.

“Including, far in Asia,” he replied. “I was very honored to see that a very wonderful Prime Minister in Japan won by a landslide. I think she was going to win, but she won by just about the biggest vote ever in Japan. And she attributed my endorsement for that.”

Trump’s remarks followed his public endorsement of Takaichi ahead of Sunday’s snap election. 

On Truth Social, he wrote that she has “already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader… one that truly loves her country,” adding: “She will not let the people of Japan down!”

Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister after taking the helm of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had openly courted Trump as Tokyo sought stability in its relationship with Washington amid trade tensions.

Before her win, she said: “I am sincerely grateful to President Donald J. Trump for his warm words… The potential of our Alliance is LIMITLESS.”

After securing victory, she again thanked him directly: “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for your kind and encouraging message of congratulations. I look forward to working closely with you, Donald, to advance peace, strength, and prosperity for our two nations.”

Trump, without naming her in an earlier post, hailed Japan’s “first female Prime Minister, a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength.”

Whether Trump’s endorsement proved decisive is unclear.

But Takaichi’s nationalist platform and hardline rhetoric on immigration have drawn comparisons to the U.S. president — reinforcing the perception, at least among supporters, that Trump’s political brand now reaches well beyond America’s borders.

The scale of the win clears the way for Takaichi to push through legislation with minimal resistance, after she called a snap election just weeks into her premiership. It also allows her to override the upper house, which remains outside LDP control.

Market reaction was almost instantaneous. 

Japan’s Nikkei index hit a fresh record, rising nearly 4% to close above 56,000 points, as investors welcomed the prospect of political stability and faster policy decisions.

The rally spread across Asia, with gains in South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia , underscoring the regional impact of Japan’s election outcome.

Takaichi has promised a ¥21 trillion ($134 billion) stimulus package and a two-year suspension of Japan’s food sales tax, measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures but which have raised concerns about funding.

The election result also drew praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, who congratulated Takaichi on what he called a “historic” victory and applauded her conservative leadership.

Trump said Japan’s voters had delivered a clear mandate, adding that he looked forward to working with Takaichi on security and economic issues.

“She is a highly respected and very popular Leader. Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call for an Election paid off big time,” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social.

“Sanae: It was my Honor to Endorse you and your Coalition,” he added. 

They said the change is meant to adjust to " international standards.” 

Since the SDF was established in 1954, Japan has deliberately used rank names that differ from those of its pre-1945 military. The distinction was designed to signal a clean break from the wartime past and reinforce the force’s defensive role under Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Under the current system, Japanese rank names do not match the old imperial terminology, even though their English translations already correspond to standard military ranks used overseas. 

For example, the SDF rank equivalent to a colonel is “issa,” or “first field officer,” which replaced the imperial-era term “taisa.” While the Japanese titles were changed after the war , their English equivalents have long matched international military ranks.

Any change to rank names would require amendments to the Self-Defense Forces Law and approval by parliament.

Pusback

Inside the Defence Ministry and the SDF, however, the proposal has been met with scepticism .

Some officials noted that reviving terminology associated with the imperial military risks complicating recruitment efforts and unsettling public perceptions, especially among younger generations.

Particular resistance has focused on lower enlisted ranks such as ittohei (private first class) and nitohei (private). Critics argue that these terms carry outdated or negative connotations tied to Japan’s wartime army.

What’s more unsettling is that the debate has also drawn attention from Japan’s neighbours. 

China and North Korea have criticised the proposal as further evidence of Tokyo drifting away from its postwar pacifist stance.

In response to the disruptions, China’s main carriers – Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – have introduced flexible policies for Japan-bound travellers. 

Passengers holding eligible tickets purchased before January 26 can change flights once without fees or request refunds, with the measures covering services from late March to October to cities including Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa.

The move follows warnings from China’s foreign ministry and comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested her country could intervene militarily if China attempted to invade Taiwan. 

Beijing responded with a travel advisory discouraging visits to Japan and limited cultural exchanges, prompting airlines to recalibrate capacity, particularly on leisure-oriented routes.

Effects of the diplomatic fallout have already reverberated across the two Asian giants. 

Chinese arrivals to Japan fell around 45% in December to roughly 330,000 visitors compared with the previous year. Despite the drop, Japan’s tourism sector reached a record 42.7 million foreign arrivals in 2025, buoyed by travellers from other countries.

China, the world’s largest tourism market, has traditionally been Japan’s largest source of inbound tourists, with visitors spending significantly more than other nationalities. In the first nine months of 2025, almost 7.5 million Chinese tourists arrived.

The February cancellations illustrate how geopolitical friction can ripple through the travel sector, with diplomatic disputes directly impacting commercial flights and tourism flows between two of Asia’s largest economies.

Takaichi, who used to play in a heavy metal band, arranged the drumming event after Lee mentioned at last year’s APEC summit that he wanted to learn how to play the drums.

Receiving the award this week from a private committee, Takaichi insisted her remark had been misunderstood.

“I only wished to convey my enthusiasm,” she said. “I have no intention of encouraging overwork or suggesting that long hours are a virtue. I hope there is no misunderstanding.”

Since taking office later that month as Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has become an unexpected style icon. 

But while “Sana-katsu” — rooting for Sanae — is now a trend among younger women, it remains to be seen whether her conservative policies will attract the same loyalty. 

Takaichi is seeking to woo right-wing voters after the LDP’s heavy losses under her more moderate predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba.

Her original “work” refrain came during a pledge to rebuild the struggling party and restore public trust. Urging colleagues to “work like a horse,” she declared she would abandon any notion of “work-life balance,” adding with deliberate emphasis: “I will work, work, work, work and work.”

Her own schedule has only fuelled concerns. 

Colleagues say she keeps punishing hours; she held a 3 a.m. meeting with aides before parliament convened in November and told MPs she sleeps “about two hours now, four at most” while also caring for her husband, who is recovering from a stroke.

Takaichi’s prominence as a role model is unusual in Japan, where adoration of political figures rarely rivals the celebrity treatment reserved for athletes or pop stars. The enthusiasm, experts said, stems from her visibility as a powerful woman in a country with few female political leaders.

“She is a new kind of role model,” says Namiko Kubo-Kawai, a psychology professor at Nagoya Shukutoku University. “Her appeal is not rooted in traditional femininity but in her position and persona. Young women who never imagined cheering for a prime minister now see someone whose style they can emulate.”

Yet Takaichi is unlikely to win over feminists, being a staunch conservative who backs maintaining male-only imperial succession and opposes reforms allowing married couples to keep separate surnames.

Still, as Japan’s first female leader, Takaichi has become a cultural presence as much as a political one. Her catchphrase may have been unintended, but it has captured a moment where Japanese women — whether or not they share her politics — are expanding the kinds of role models they choose to follow.

The remarks came shortly after Trump held an overnight call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reportedly focused on the conflict in Ukraine , fentanyl trafficking and tensions over Taiwan. Trump later described US–China relations as “extremely strong” in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Takaichi confirmed that her discussions with Trump touched on his call with Xi but declined to provide specifics, citing diplomatic sensitivity.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara also stressed that Tokyo’s approach toward China remains unchanged.“Based on the strong relationship of trust with our ally, the United States, Japan will continue to urge China to fulfil its responsibilities commensurate with its position,” he said.

The reaffirmation of US–Japan ties follows heightened tensions earlier this month after Takaichi said the use of force against Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo — comments she has declined to retract. The government later clarified that her statement did not signal any shift in Japan’s long-standing policy toward Taiwan.

“This development is extremely dangerous and warrants high vigilance from neighbouring countries and the international community,” Mao warned.

She argued that Japanese political factions are deliberately pushing beyond the limits of the nation’s post-war Peace Constitution.

“Japanese right-wing forces are striving to break free from the constraints of the Peace Constitution, venturing further down the path of militarism and reckless expansion, leading Japan and the region towards disaster,” she said.

China also confirmed it has postponed a planned trilateral summit between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), saying the political conditions required for the meeting have collapsed.

Mao pointed to recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan as a major contributing factor.

“Japanese leaders have openly made erroneous remarks on the Taiwan issue, undermining the foundation and atmosphere for trilateral cooperation,” she stated. “The conditions for holding the Leaders’ Meeting are currently unfeasible.”

Beijing signalled it will now take the issue to the United Nations , accusing Japan of undermining the One-China principle.

“If Japan merely repeats that its position has not changed while remaining vague on specifics, and continuously oversteps boundaries in its actions, then such reiteration is nothing but empty words,” Mao said.

The diplomatic row has already seeped into daily life, prompting travel warnings and leading to thousands of cancelled flights on both sides as relations deteriorate further.

“I currently only get about two hours of sleep a night, up to four hours on the longest days, so I think it's bad for my skin,” she said. “But if we could balance childcare and nursing care according to our wishes, and still be able to work, enjoy leisure time, and relax, that would be the ideal situation.”

Takaichi insisted that creating a system that supports both men and women in juggling work, childcare, and eldercare is essential, adding: “I believe it is necessary to realise a way of working that allows both men and women to balance work with childcare or elderly care, according to their wishes.”

Her comments came after staff and opposition lawmakers described the 3 am meeting as “crazy” and symptomatic of poor leadership that pressures employees into unreasonable hours.

Akira Koike, Secretary-General of the Japanese Communist Party, said the incident underlined the need for wider reforms. “To create a society where both men and women can share housework, childcare, and elderly care, ensuring that workers have free time—time they can use as they wish—is an important issue for Japanese society.”

Takaichi admitted last week that the early-morning gathering was held to prepare for a budget committee session scheduled less than six hours later.