Japan’s “Iron Girl” listens to… Iron Maiden?
The nation’s parliament elected veteran ultraconservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi to function the following prime minister on Tuesday, making her the primary girl to take Japan’s highest public workplace.
Takaichi is an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first feminine prime minister who was nicknamed the “Iron Girl.”
She favors a robust financial system and a robust army, and, in line with interviews with Japanese media, a robust drum riff.
Listed below are a couple of attention-grabbing particulars concerning the new prime minister.
A longtime Iron Maiden fan
Talking on Japanese radio station Tokyo FM’s “BABYMETAL” podcast in August, Takaichi confirmed a longtime affinity for the enduring British heavy steel band Iron Maiden, however stated her favourite artist was Japanese drummer Yoshiki, of the X JAPAN rock band from Chiba.
Yoshiki is among the founding members of the group, which has been round because the early Nineteen Eighties, and Takaichi stated she admired each his drumming and his piano enjoying, which she known as “completely great — technically sensible and delightful.”
She informed Tokyo FM that she nonetheless listens to Iron Maiden frequently.
Heavy steel drumming “to let off steam”
Takaichi’s ardour for guitar-driven loud music does not cease at fandom. She rocks. Since her days as a scholar she’s performed each the drums and guitar, and says it is that parallel that makes her such a fan of Yoshiki.
Sanae Takaichi 
She used to play the drums in a heavy steel band that did Black Sabbath and Deep Purple covers, and CBS Information’ Japanese companion community TBS says there’s nonetheless an digital drum package in her parliamentary residence — although she performs with headphones to keep away from interrupting her colleagues.
She informed the Tokyo FM podcast hosts that, whereas it is now not a each day ritual, she nonetheless performs the drums to alleviate stress.
“After I get irritated by my husband’s alternative of phrases or habits, I play the digital drums after he is gone to mattress,” she stated. “‘Burn’ by Deep Purple is a staple. I play songs like this to let off steam.”
From basic rock to basic bikes
A photograph album on Takaichi’s personal political website reveals one other ardour: bikes. Two footage present a youthful Takaichi “on her beloved Z400GP.”
One photograph reveals her pointing on the unidentified photographer as she sits astride her purple and black Kawasaki.
Sanae Takaichi 
TBS says Takaichi has been listed as a member of the Japanese parliament’s bike membership.
A black belt in karate
One other undated photograph on the brand new prime minister’s web site reveals her in coaching at a karate dojo, sporting a black belt.
TBS stated it was unclear whether or not Takaichi nonetheless practices the Japanese martial artwork.
Sanae Takaichi 
