Japan's parliament elects Sanae Takaichi as nation's first female prime minister

"The LDP's alliance with the Osaka-based rightwing Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, ensured her premiership because the opposition is not united. Takaichi's untested alliance is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and will need to court other opposition groups to pass any legislation a risk that could make her government unstable and short-lived. The two parties signed a coalition agreement on policies underscoring Takaichi's hawkish and nationalistic views."

"Ishiba, who lasted only one year as prime minister, resigned with his Cabinet earlier in the day, paving the way for his successor. Takaichi won 237 votes four more than a majority compared to 149 won by Yoshikoko Noda, head of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in the lower house, which elects the prime minister. As the results were announced, Takaichi stood up and bowed deeply."

"Their last-minute deal came after the Liberal Democrats lost its longtime partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more dovish and centrist stance. The breakup threatened a change of power for the LDP, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for decades. Tackling rising prices and other economic measures is the top priority for the Takaichi government, LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki told NHK public television as he apologized over the delay because of the party's internal power struggle since the July election."

Sanae Takaichi was elected prime minister after the Liberal Democratic Party formed a coalition with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party. She won 237 votes in the lower house versus 149 for Yoshikoko Noda, ending months of political uncertainty after the July election. The coalition secured her premiership but lacks a majority in both parliamentary houses, requiring outreach to other opposition groups and risking instability. The agreement emphasizes hawkish, nationalistic policies. The LDP lost its longtime partner Komeito, threatening its dominance. Tackling rising prices and other economic measures is cited as the government's top priority amid internal party strife.

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