Peace Through Kamehameha! Japan and France Leaders Share Dragon Ball Moment in Tokyo

A viral moment in Tokyo as Japan and France’s leaders perform the iconic Dragon Ball Kamehameha after talks, blending diplomacy with anime culture.

Yel Bejoc

April 05, 2026

TOKYO, Japan (April 1) — What started as a day known for pranks and playful internet traditions turned into a genuinely wholesome moment between world leaders, as Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and France’s President Emmanuel Macron bonded over one of anime’s most iconic moves.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) poses following a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

While April Fools’ Day is often associated with jokes, he interaction between the two leaders stood out as a sincere and fun cultural exchange.

Following a joint press conference in Tokyo, the two leaders performed the legendary Kamehameha from Dragon Ball — a lighthearted gesture that quickly caught the attention of fans worldwide.

フュージョン！ pic.twitter.com/8rz95S8Yzl
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 1, 2026

The meeting itself was part of an official state visit, where Sanae Takaichi and Emmanuel Macron discussed key topics including Indo-Pacific security, economic cooperation, and global issues—highlighting the strong diplomatic relationship between Japan and France.

The celebration didn’t stop there. On April 3, the Embassy of France in Japan joined in on the fun, sharing photos of staff members recreating the Kamehameha pose. The activity was held in honor of President Macron’s visit to Japan and highlighted the friendly diplomatic ties between the two nations.

フランス共和国大統領の歴史的な訪日を締めくくり、大使館チーム一同で、
特大のかめはめ波🙌⚡️💥！

日仏の友情に万歳✨🇫🇷🇯🇵

Pour conclure une visite historique du Président de la Republique, toute l'équipe de l'Ambassade réunie pour un gigantesque kamehameha! 💥

Vive l'amitié 🇫🇷🇯🇵✨ pic.twitter.com/1pCZdpb84x
— フランス大使館🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@ambafrancejp_jp) April 3, 2026

This isn’t the first time Emmanuel Macron has shown his admiration for Japanese pop culture. Following the passing of Akira Toriyama in 2024, Macron shared a personal tribute featuring an illustration he had received from the legendary creator, depicting Son Goku alongside Majin Buu.

À Akira Toriyama et ses millions de passionnés qui ont grandi avec lui.

鳥山明と何百万もの彼の愛好家へ。 pic.twitter.com/0AAvVxUuj6
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 8, 2024

The recent Kamehameha exchange serves as a reminder of how anime like Dragon Ball continues to transcend borders, bringing people together, even on the global political stage.

Dragon Ball is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It began serialization in 1984 in Weekly Shōnen Jump under Shueisha, running until 1995 with a total of 42 volumes.

The series was adapted into an anime produced by Toei Animation, which first aired in February 1986. It went on to become one of the most iconic and influential anime franchises worldwide, spawning multiple sequels including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super, and remains globally popular to this day.

Crunchyroll describes the series as:
"Goku is a strange, bushy-tailed boy who spends his days hunting and eating—until he meets Bulma, a brainy beauty with a mission: to collect the seven Dragon Balls."

© Akira Toriyama / Shueisha / Toei Animation
Sources: Emmanuel Macron's X/Twitter account, French Embassy of Japan's X/Twitter account, Reuters, ANN