Legendary British rock band Deep Purple visited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, their high-profile superfan, on Friday as they returned to Japan after more than half a century. Takaichi, an amateur drummer, told drummer Ian Paice, 'You are my god,' and presented him with signed made-in-Japan drumsticks. The group kicks off its 2026 Japan tour on Saturday.
Legendary British rock band Deep Purple made a brief courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday, delighting their high-profile superfan as they returned to the country they first toured more than half a century ago.
A giddy Takaichi, known as an amateur drummer and fan of hard rock and heavy metal, told drummer Ian Paice in English, "You are my god," while presenting him with a set of signed made-in-Japan drumsticks. After a photo session with lead singer Ian Gillan and other members, she said she bought their "Machine Head" album—which features hits like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star"—in grade school. She played keyboard in a Deep Purple tribute band in middle school and switched to drums in university, joking, "These days, when I fight with my husband I drum to 'Burn' and cast a curse on him."
The visit offered respite for Japan's first female prime minister, who took office last October vowing to "work, work, work." She has grappled with diplomatic fallout with China, economic strain from a weak yen and rising prices, and threats of an energy crisis from Middle East conflict. Through an interpreter, she told the band, "I have the deepest respect for the way you continue to make rock history while embracing new challenges."
Deep Purple's ties to Japan run deep; their 1972 double live album "Made in Japan," recorded during the band's first tour here, cemented its reputation as a formidable live act. The group kicks off its 2026 Japan tour on Saturday at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan.
