PROFILE: Japan's 1st woman PM Takaichi a security hawk, heavy metal drummer

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, is a conservative hawk and heavy metal-loving drummer who until recently was an unknown quantity on the diplomatic stage.The 64-year-old, who cites former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a political idol, has been projecting a softer, cheerful and more approachable figure as premier.That image has apparently helped her forge a strong following, a factor behind her party's landslide victory in the Feb. 8 general election, with some young people purchasing the same pens and fashion items as Takaichi, a phenomenon known as "Sanak…READ FULL ARTICLE