Sanae Takaichi, Japan

The Japanese “Iron Lady” listens… Iron Maiden?

The country’s parliament elected a veteran ultraconservative legislator Sanae Takaichi to serve as the next prime minister on Tuesday, making her the first woman to hold Japan’s highest public office.

Takaichi is an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female prime minister nicknamed the “Iron Lady.”

She favors a strong economy and a strong military and, according to interviews with Japanese media, a strong drum riff.

Here are some interesting details about the new prime minister.

Long time Iron Maiden fan

Speaking on Japanese radio station Tokyo FM’s “BABYMETAL” podcast in August, Takaichi confirmed a long-standing affinity for iconic British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, but said his favorite artist was Japanese drummer Yoshiki of Chiba rock band X JAPAN.

Yoshiki is one of the founding members of the group, which has been around since the early 1980s, and Takaichi said he admired both his drumming and his piano playing, which he called “absolutely wonderful, technically brilliant and beautiful.”

She told Tokyo FM that she still listens to Iron Maiden regularly.

Heavy metal drums “to let off steam”

Takaichi’s passion for loud music with guitars is not limited to fandom. She’s great. Since her days as a student, she has played drums and guitar, and says it’s that parallel that makes her such a fan of Yoshiki.

He used to play drums in a heavy metal band that covered Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, and News themezone partner Japanese network TBS says there is still an electronic drum set in his parliamentary residence, although he plays with headphones to avoid interrupting his colleagues.

She told the hosts of the Tokyo FM podcast that although it’s no longer a daily ritual, she still plays drums to relieve stress.

“When I get irritated by my husband’s words or behavior, I play the electronic drums after he goes to bed,” she said. “Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’ is a staple. I play songs like this to blow off some steam.”

From classic rock to classic motorcycles

A photo album on Takaichi’s personal political website reveals another passion: motorcycles. Two images show a younger Takaichi “on her beloved Z400GP.”

One photo shows her pointing at the unidentified photographer while straddling his red and black Kawasaki.

TBS says Takaichi has been inducted as a member of the Japanese parliament motorcycle club.

A black belt in karate.

Another undated photo on the new prime minister’s website shows her training in a karate dojo, wearing a black belt.

TBS said it was unclear whether Takaichi still practices the Japanese martial art.

In:

• Japan