British rock legends Deep Purple made a special visit to one of their most high-profile fans, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during their return to the country they first toured over 50 years ago. Ms Takaichi, known for her passion for hard rock and heavy metal and her skills as an amateur drummer, has long cited Deep Purple among her favourite bands, alongside Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.
During the brief encounter, a visibly excited Ms Takaichi presented drummer Ian Paice with a signed set of Japanese-made drumsticks, telling him in English, "You are my god." Following a photo opportunity with lead singer Ian Gillan and other band members, the Prime Minister recounted her long-standing connection to their music.
She revealed purchasing their iconic "Machine Head" album in grade school, an LP featuring hits like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star." Ms Takaichi also shared her past as a keyboardist in a Deep Purple tribute band during middle school, before switching to drums at university. She light-heartedly quipped, "These days, when I fight with my husband I drum to 'Burn' and cast a curse on him."
The group's courtesy call was a welcome respite for Japan's first female prime minister, who vowed to "work, work, work" when she took office last October.
Since then, Takaichi has had to grapple with a diplomatic fallout with China, economic strain from a weak yen and rising prices, and now the threat of an energy crisis due to the Middle East conflict.
"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," she said through an interpreter.
The band's ties to Japan run deep. The double live album "Made in Japan", recorded during Deep Purple's first Japan tour in 1972, cemented its reputation as one of rock's most formidable live acts.
The band kicks off its 2026 Japan tour on Saturday at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan.