Japan's ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader, likely to become first female PM

"In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, the 64-year-old Takaichi makes history as the first female leader of Japan's long-governing conservative Liberal Democratic Party. Takaichi is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated party. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is a protege of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's ultra-conservative vision and a regular at the Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism, which could complicate Tokyo's relations with its Asian neighbors."

"Takaichi beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in a vote by the LDP on Saturday. Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses. She is likely to be Japan's next prime minister because the party remains by far the largest in the lower house, which determines the national leader, and because opposition groups are highly splintered."

Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and is likely to become Japan's first female prime minister. She is 64 and ranks among the most conservative members of the male-dominated party. She admires Margaret Thatcher, is a protégé of Shinzo Abe's ultra-conservative vision, and regularly visits Yasukuni Shrine, actions that could complicate relations with Asian neighbors. She defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in an LDP runoff and replaces Shigeru Ishiba as the party seeks to regain support after election losses. She vows to stem rising prices and to prioritize diplomatic and security challenges, including strengthening the U.S. alliance. A parliamentary vote is expected in mid-October.

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