President Lee Presents Drum Set and Red Ginseng to Prime Minister Takaichi, Samsung Galaxy Watch to Her Spouse

Takaichi Formed a Rock Band in High School and Played as Drummer
Blue House: "The Drum Symbolizes Strong Drive and Flexible Harmony... Aligned with the Prime Minister's Philosophy"
Takaichi Presents a Casio Wristwatch Made from Biomass
Mrs. Kim Hyekyung Receives Makeup Brush Crafted by Traditional Nara Manufacturer

The Blue House announced that President Lee Jaemyung, during his visit to Japan, met with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and presented her with a drum set.

The drum that President Lee Jae-myung gifted to Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. (Source: Blue House)

According to the Blue House on January 14, President Lee took the opportunity of this visit to Japan to present Prime Minister Takaichi with several gifts, including a drum set.

The drum was chosen in consideration of the fact that Prime Minister Takaichi formed a rock band in high school and played as a drummer. It is well known that she is fond of drumming, to the extent that she even carried drumsticks with her when she was first elected to the National Assembly. The Blue House explained, "The drum, as the central instrument leading the rhythm, symbolizes both strong drive and flexible harmony, which aligns with Prime Minister Takaichi's political philosophy." The drumsticks are Korean products crafted by master artisan Jang Juncheol, adorned with mother-of-pearl inlay.

Drumsticks gifted to President Lee Jae-myung by Shinzo Takaiichi, Prime Minister of Japan. (Source: Blue House)

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, President Lee also told Prime Minister Takaichi, "You have fulfilled all my dreams-drumming, scuba diving, and motorcycles," prompting laughter among the attendees.

Additionally, he presented her with powdered Cheonggukjang and Cheonggukjang pills, which are modern reinterpretations of Korea's traditional fermented food Cheonggukjang. The Blue House explained, "These gifts were prepared to help the Prime Minister maintain a balanced diet in her busy daily schedule."

A set of organic tableware gifted by President Lee Jae-myung to Shinae Takaichi, spouse of the Japanese Prime Minister. (Source: Blue House)

For the spouse of Prime Minister Takaichi, President Lee gifted a set of handcrafted organic lacquerware tableware and stone plates. This gift was inspired by the story of the Prime Minister's spouse proposing over the phone, promising to cook delicious food for her for life. He also selected a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to help the Prime Minister's spouse monitor his health.

President Lee received from Prime Minister Takaichi a Casio wristwatch equipped with solar charging and direction measurement functions. The watch, made from biomass plastic, is an eco-friendly product with features useful for President Lee's hobby of hiking. For Mrs. Kim Hyekyung, a makeup brush and pouch were prepared as gifts. These products were made by Akashiya, a traditional brush manufacturer in Nara, where the summit was held.

Makeup brush gifted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinae Takaiichi to Mrs. Kim Hyekyung. (Source: Blue House)

Meanwhile, on the Japanese side, a welcome kit was prepared at the accommodation of President Lee and his wife, featuring Monaka and a selection of traditional Japanese sweets representing Nara Prefecture. The wagashi selection included 'Mimuro Monaka' from a Nara shop with over 170 years of history, 'Persimmon Monaka' made with Nara's specialty persimmons, 'Kasuga,' a confection originating from food offered to the deity at Nara's famous 8th-century Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and 'Yoshinokuzu,' a rice cake made with kudzu grown in the Yoshino region of Nara.