As the Iran war prompts some countries to call for restrictions that hark back to the oil-shock era — Australia is urging people to take public transport, South Korea is calling for shorter showers — in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is doing a 70s throwback of a different kind: Hanging out with heavy rockers Deep Purple.

The noted metal-lover Takaichi can afford to take time to meet one of her idols, whose hits include "Woman From Tokyo" (Takaichi, alas, hails from Nara). Despite Japan’s dearth of natural resources and dependence on Middle Eastern oil, the situation in Tokyo has been remarkably sanguine.

While the public opposes the war, her polling remains firm, with support rising 2 percentage points to 61% in an NHK survey taken recently. Clear majorities favor her diplomatic efforts and steps to ensure energy security. She can’t take all the credit: Japan’s energy diversity is a long-standing policy that seeks to avoid over-dependence on any one region.

© The Japan Times