Deep Purple visits Japan superfan PM

Legendary British rock band Deep Purple made Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s day with a brief visit to their high-profile superfan on ​Friday as they returned to the country they first toured more ‌than half a century ago, Reuters writes.

Takaichi, an amateur drummer and fan of hard rock and heavy metal, has described Deep Purple as one of her favorite bands.

“You are my god,” a giddy Takaichi said in English ⁠to Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, presenting him with a set of made-in-Japan ​drumsticks that she signed.

“These days, when I fight with my husband I ‌drum ⁠to ‘Burn’ and cast a curse on him,” she joked.

The band kicks off its 2026 Japan ​tour on Saturday at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan.