Macron and Takaichi Strike 'Kamehameha' Pose at Tokyo Summit to Celebrate Cultural Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi closed their joint press conference at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday with an unexpected pop-culture moment, both leaders performing the "Kamehameha" — the iconic energy-wave gesture from the anime series Dragon Ball. It was Takaichi who initiated the gesture after the traditional closing handshake, extending both arms with open hands in the signature pose. Macron, visibly amused, joined in without hesitation, and both leaders smiled as the room responded with laughter and applause. Macron later shared the moment on his social media accounts with the caption "Fusion!" — a reference to another technique from the Dragon Ball series. The lighthearted exchange came at the end of a substantive two-day official visit focused on security, industrial cooperation, and cultural ties between France and Japan.

Joint declaration covers defense, AI, and critical minerals The diplomatic substance of the visit centered on a joint declaration signed by both leaders, covering cooperation in defense, technology, and culture. The two countries agreed on a roadmap for joint military exercises and greater coordination in international crises, with a particular focus on stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In the economic sphere, France and Japan signed agreements to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals used in the high-tech industry. The two sides also advanced partnerships in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, space, and health. Macron framed the bilateral relationship as a potential foundation for what he described as a "coalition of the independents" — a grouping of European, Asian, and major emerging nations, including India and Brazil, aimed at maintaining strategic autonomy from the influence of United States President Donald Trump. Both leaders also committed to seeking a prompt de-escalation in the Middle East and underlined the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron says France was not consulted on Iran offensive On the sidelines of the visit, Macron addressed the ongoing US-Israel military offensive against Iran, responding to criticism from Trump over France's refusal to grant overflight rights. In an interview broadcast by Japanese public broadcaster NHK, Macron stated that France had neither been consulted before the launch of the operation nor was participating in it. „It is entirely true that France, which was not consulted and which is not part of this military offensive launched by the United States and Israel, is not taking part in it. But there is nothing new, this has been true since the first day, so one should not be surprised by it.” — Emmanuel Macron via Le Soir The remarks underscored the persistent gap between Paris and Washington over the conduct of the Iran campaign, which began on February 28, 2026. Macron's Tokyo visit came against a backdrop of broader Western disagreement over the scope and management of the conflict, with France consistently positioning itself outside the military coalition while maintaining its own diplomatic channels.

Macron champions manga market, pledges to fight piracy The Kamehameha gesture was not entirely spontaneous — it grew directly out of a discussion on cultural ties that Macron had elevated as a centerpiece of the summit. The French president told the press conference that France is the world's second-largest market for manga consumption, trailing only Japan itself. „We want to do more for books and manga, which are very popular. I reminded the premier a short while ago that France is the second country in the world for manga consumption. You are unbeatable in first place, but we love them almost as much as you do: our young people love these stories, their heroes, and their worlds.” — Emmanuel Macron via RAI News Macron pledged to continue developing the manga market in France and to combat piracy in the publishing sector, citing the demands of French publishers. The two countries also agreed to develop joint audiovisual and cinematographic co-productions. Takaichi's willingness to engage in the pop-culture moment fit a pattern noted by observers: in January 2026, she had ended a summit with her South Korean counterpart by playing drums to the rhythm of K-pop songs, after he had told her the previous year that doing so was "a very dear dream" for him.

Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first female Prime Minister and first female President of the Liberal Democratic Party when she took office in October 2025. She subsequently secured a landslide victory in a 2026 snap election. France and Japan have maintained close bilateral ties across defense, culture, and technology, with both countries sharing interests in Indo-Pacific stability. The Kamehameha gesture originates from the Dragon Ball anime franchise, one of the most recognized Japanese cultural exports globally.