Japan's Next PM Sanae Takaichi: From Heavy Metal Drummer to Political Trailblazer

A passionate heavy metal enthusiast throughout her life, 63-year-old Takaichi formerly played drums during her college years.

New Delhi:

As Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) prepares to support Sanae Takaichi as the nation's incoming prime minister, a nearly decade-old video has resurfaced displaying the conservative leader performing X Japan's iconic rock anthem "Rusty Nail" on national television.

The footage, recorded in 2016 during a karaoke program, has gained significant traction across Japanese social media platforms this week.

Fuji TV introduced Takaichi Sanae as the first female leader of the LDP, highlighting her support for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team and referencing her X Japan performance on television.

X Japan, whose song she performed, stands as one of Japan's most influential rock groups, known for combining symphonic ballads with fast-paced metal. Their 1994 single "Rusty Nail" continues to be cherished by fans.

The 63-year-old Takaichi, a dedicated heavy metal enthusiast, previously played drums in a college band and maintains an electric drum kit at her Nara residence. She has mentioned Deep Purple's Burn and Iron Maiden's Run to the Hills among her preferred songs. "Honestly, I wish I could enjoy karaoke outings, but I've been restraining myself in recent years," she revealed in a previous television interview.

A firm nationalist and advocate for economic stimulus, Takaichi's ascension represents a potential watershed moment for Japan, which has never had a female leader.

Takaichi's promotion to party leadership is being interpreted as the LDP's strategy to strengthen its conservative foundation and recapture younger voters who have gravitated toward smaller right-wing and populist movements, including the Sanseito Party.

"Our objective is achieving economic growth, not fiscal stability," she stated during a recent policy discussion.

Foreign relations will present another early challenge. Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump, during an upcoming Asia visit in late October, may include Tokyo in his itinerary - potentially setting up Takaichi's first significant diplomatic encounter.

Born in 1961 in Nara, Takaichi grew up in a modest household. Her father worked as a salesman while her mother served in the local police force. She studied business management at Kobe University before joining the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management.

Her career began as a television news anchor, briefly working in media before transitioning to politics. She secured her first election victory in 1993 as an independent candidate, during a period of political fragmentation when the LDP temporarily lost power.