Japan’s first female PM to meet Trump: What to know about the heavy metal fan
President Donald Trump offered complimentary words about Sanae Takaichi Japan s first female prime minister upon arriving in Japan on Monday Takaichi s resume blends her strong brand of conservatism with a rock-and-roll streak while drawing inspiration from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Takaichi came to power earlier this month after the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba following the Liberal Democratic Party s loss of its upper-house majority in July Known for her uncompromising views on defense and social issues Trump's visit will be her first major diplomatic test The two leaders will discuss regional guard arrangement and Japan s defense spending areas where their views largely align SANAE TAKAIHI BECOMES JAPAN S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER CITING THATCHER INSPIRATION She s a hawk on China and that s exactly what s needed right now announced Gordon Chang author and Asia analyst in an interview with Fox News Digital That s not going to upset President Trump in fact it will help him in his discussions with Xi Jinping because he can say Look the alliances are strong and getting stronger Chang commented the meeting comes at a critical time for regional stability America s alliance relationship with South Korea is in danger because Lee Jae-myung is very pro-China and very anti-American he added That makes it even more essential that our relationship with Japan gets stronger which it will under Takaichi Things were going very well with Japan and I think that Takaichi is going to continue Japanese policies so this will be fundamental Takaichi s rise is remarkable in a party long dominated by political dynasties Born in Nara Prefecture to a police officer mother and a father who worked for a car company affiliated with Toyota she often describes herself as an outsider in Japan s elite political world Before entering politics she channeled her capacity into music playing drums in a heavy metal band during her youth performing songs by Deep Purple and Black Sabbath She reportedly still keeps an electronic drum kit in her Tokyo residence and plays with headphones to unwind after work Takaichi was also known in her younger years as an avid motorcycle rider JAPAN CALLS AXIS OF CHINA RUSSIA NORTH KOREA THE 'GRAVEST THREAT' TO GLOBAL ORDER SINCE WWIIIn early remarks Takaichi noted she admired Thatcher s strong character and convictions and that she met the former British leader at a symposium shortly before Thatcher s death in The combination of a conservative politician with a rock-and-roll past Japan s first female prime minister behind a drum kit and once on a bike has helped shape her inhabitants image as both disciplined and unconventional Takaichi is widely described as an ideological heir to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aligning with his push to revise Japan s pacifist constitution and boost the country s defense capabilities Her economic guidelines continues much of Abe s Abenomics emphasizing fiscal expansion and monetary easing a contrast to Thatcher-style austerity Yet her assertive tone and ideological discipline echo the British prime minister she idolizes At home Takaichi holds staunchly traditional views She opposes same-sex marriage rejects allowing separate surnames for married couples and supports the imperial family s male-only succession according to The Associated Press The two leaders are expected to meet later tonight in Tokyo
