Overview
- British rock band Deep Purple paid a short courtesy call on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.
- Takaichi, a longtime heavy rock fan and amateur drummer, told drummer Ian Paice “You are my god” and handed him signed, Japan-made drumsticks.
- She recalled buying the Machine Head album as a child and said she played in a school tribute band before switching to drums at university.
- The group is set to start its 2026 Japan tour on Saturday at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, a famed arena for major rock concerts.
- Coverage cast the moment as a morale lift for Japan’s first female leader during strains that include friction with China, a weak yen, rising prices, and energy risks tied to the Middle East conflict.