President Macron and PM Takaichi strike iconic ‘Kamehameha’ pose at Tokyo summit
French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strike the ‘kamehameha’ pose Photograph: (Screengrab from video on X)
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she and President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining a stable supply of essentials, and calming the situation as soon as possible.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to Tokyo, shared a lighthearted moment with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a news conference on Wednesday when the two leaders turned to each other and cupped their hands in ‘kamehameha’, a gesture from globally beloved Japanese manga, anime and video game franchise ‘Dragon Ball’.
Dragon Ball characters use the signature gesture to unleash a massive blue beam of energy after drawing inner energy and releasing it from cupped hands.
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In the press briefing, Macron praised Europe’s “predictability”, while contrasting it with countries that “could hurt you without even informing you” in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump.
Trump had lashed out at France on Tuesday, writing on social media that Paris had been “very unhelpful” in the war with Iran.
“I’m well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others,” Macron told Japanese business leaders and investors in Tokyo.
“But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated that over all these past years and, dare I say, even these past weeks: we are where you know we will go. That’s not bad, in times like these, believe me,” he added.
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Macron also spoke of cooperation in the face of the current energy crisis, and said, “We share a belief in international law and in the international order based on the United Nations Charter, and we also believe in the democratic values that we defend. This is why... we both advocate the return to peace, to a ceasefire, to calm, and to the free movement of people and goods through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Takaichi said they agreed on the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining a stable supply of essential materials, and calming the situation as soon as possible.
Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 per cent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles amid the supply disruption and rising fuel prices.
The two countries signed a roadmap on access to critical minerals and another on defence cooperation.
Macron’s visit comes as China-Japan ties worsen following Takaichi’s suggestion in November that Tokyo might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.
