A flash of pop-culture levity momentarily stole the show at the State Guest House in Japan on Wednesday. Following the formal Japan-France summit, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron stunned reporters by striking the iconic "Kamehameha" pose from the legendary manga series Dragon Ball.
The moment went viral right at the end of their joint press conference, after an intense hour of discussions on nuclear energy, AI, and regional security in West Asia. The playful gesture reminded everyone just how beloved Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is in both countries. France, after all, is the world’s second-biggest manga market after Japan, and President Macron has never hidden his love for Japanese anime.
“Japan and France are linked by more than just trade and defense,” Prime Minister Takaichi said, her hands cupped in the signature stance of the character Goku. “We are linked by a shared imagination. Soft power is a bridge that can carry us through even the most difficult diplomatic winters.”
フュージョン！ pic.twitter.com/8rz95S8Yzl
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 1, 2026
President Macron, who famously received a custom One Piece illustration from author Eiichiro Oda during the Tokyo Olympics, laughed as he mirrored the pose.
In France, many of us grew up with these heroes,” Macron told the press. “To stand here in Tokyo and celebrate this heritage is a reminder of the deep, joyful affection our people have for Japanese culture. It is the ‘energy’—the Ki—of our friendship.”
Serious business behind the smiles
While the "Kamehameha" dominated social media, the summit itself addressed critical challenges. The leaders signed a significant memorandum on nuclear power cooperation, aiming to stabilise energy markets rocked by the ongoing war in West Asia. They also confirmed a joint roadmap for rare earth minerals, seeking to reduce reliance on single-source supply chains.
