Tokyo: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her the first woman to head the long-governing party and positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister.
According to Qatar News Agency, Takaichi, 64, won in a run-off election against rival Shinjiro Koizumi. Her victory comes at a critical time for the LDP, which has suffered declining public support amid rising living costs and recent electoral setbacks.
A formal vote in the Japanese parliament is scheduled for October 15 to confirm her appointment as prime minister.
Takaichi succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, who announced his resignation as LDP leader on September 7, stepping down less than a year after taking office following mounting internal pressure and the party’s waning popularity.