Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi hosts Deep Purple in Tokyo, reveals lifelong fandom

Tokyo: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed legendary British rock band Deep Purple to Tokyo on Friday, April 10, 2026, taking a break from official duties to meet the group she has admired since grade school.

Takaichi, who last October became the first female leader in Japan’s history, greeted the band with a smile, telling them, “I can’t believe Deep Purple are here.”

The hard-rock fan, who is also a drummer, recalled buying the band’s Machine Head album, which includes the track Smoke on the Water, while she was in grade school in 1971. Deep Purple were recently in Japan on tour, returning to the country where they recorded their acclaimed live album Made in Japan.

“I have the deepest respect for the way you continue to make rock history while embracing new challenges and creating captivating music to this day,” Takaichi told the musicians through an interpreter. During the meeting, she presented drummer Ian Paice with a gift of signed Japanese-made drumsticks and told him, “you are my god.”

ABC News reported the visit on social media, noting that the Prime Minister hosted the band as a longtime admirer. Takaichi also shared that when she argues with her husband, her first response is to go and play drums.

The meeting highlights the Prime Minister’s personal connection to music alongside her public role leading Japan.