The five members of DEEP PURPLE visited Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi earlier today at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

Takaichi has long cited DEEP PURPLE among her favorite bands, alongside BLACK SABBATH and IRON MAIDEN.

She met with the band, who were in Japan for a three-date tour that kicks off on Saturday, April 11 at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan.

The meeting came about after a request from the band.

Takaichi revealed that she bought DEEP PURPLE's classic "Machine Head" album in grade school and served as a keyboardist in a DEEP PURPLE tribute band during middle school.

She joked that these days, when she fights with her husband, she drums to DEEP PURPLE's 'Burn' album and casts a curse on him.

DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice said it was a "great pleasure" to meet Takaichi and a "bonus" on their latest visit to Japan.

Singer Ian Gillan thanked the prime minister for meeting them.

Takaichi told Japanese radio station Tokyo FM last fall that she regularly listened to IRON MAIDEN, another favorite band of hers.

She used to play drums in a heavy metal band that did BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE covers, and there's still an electronic drum kit in her parliamentary residence.

The prime minister reportedly visited the band at their hotel earlier today.

"Welcome to Japan ...

Uh-oh, I can't believe DEEP PURPLE are here," Takaichi said.

"You are my god," she told Paice, presenting him with a signed set of Japanese-made drumsticks.

Paice and Gillan were in high spirits after meeting the prime minister.

The visit was a highlight of their latest tour dates, which include a show at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan on Saturday, April 11."