Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s first female Prime Minister — and a heavy metal drummer

Japan just made history. On 21 October, Sanae Takaichi was elected as the country’s first female Prime Minister, breaking a centuries-old political ceiling in a nation where leadership has long been dominated by men. But while the world focuses on her political firsts, music fans are buzzing about something else entirely — Takaichi’s past life as a heavy metal drummer.

Before her career in politics, Takaichi spent her university years behind a drum kit, pounding out covers of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. A self-confessed lifelong metalhead, she’s kept the passion alive well into her political career. According to CBS News, she still keeps an electronic drum kit at her Tokyo residence — and often sneaks in late-night jam sessions once her husband goes to bed. Her warm-up track of choice? Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’.

石破茂新総裁が誕生したのでRusty Nailを熱唱する高市早苗でも見るか。 pic.twitter.com/pPchN0Sm5u

— ISSA (@IS_BELALGOAT) September 27, 2024

Takaichi’s love for music runs deep. She’s named Iron Maiden among her all-time favorites and even praised Yoshiki from X Japan, calling him “technically brilliant and beautiful” for his rare dual mastery of piano and drums. In a past radio appearance, she spoke about how the discipline and rhythm she learned from drumming shaped her leadership style — “keeping tempo,” she said, is key to both music and governance.

Her metal side isn’t just a hobby; it’s part of her persona. Before entering politics, Takaichi was a familiar face in Japan’s rock circles, known for her love of motorcycles (she once rode a Kawasaki Z400GP) and her black belt in karate. These details — part headbanger, part high achiever — have helped build her image as both tough and unconventional.

Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is a biker and heavy metal drummer. Pretty cool, I must say pic.twitter.com/skpeQ4jd8O

— Harsha (@kod_har) October 21, 2025

Now, as Prime Minister, Takaichi brings that same energy to Japan’s highest office. A veteran of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, she has served as minister of communications and economic security, often citing Margaret Thatcher as a key inspiration. Reuters even described her as “no stranger to creating noise,” an apt nod to both her political outspokenness and her musical past.

Social media has erupted with fascination over the new leader’s rock-and-roll backstory. Fans have unearthed old clips and viral memes celebrating her dual identity — a head of state who once kept time in a metal band. One viral video even shows her singing X Japan’s ‘Rusty Nail’ at a karaoke event, proving that her connection to the genre remains strong.