Sanae Takaichi, 64, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was elected prime minister of Japan on Tuesday.
Takaichi’s candidacy was approved by both houses of parliament. Takaichi received 237 votes in the lower house of parliament during the election for the next prime minister. Her victory is a turning point for a country where men still hold overwhelming power.
One of Takaichi’s first official duties after being confirmed as prime minister will be to receive US President Donald Trump, who is reportedly due to visit Japan at the end of October.
Takaichi’s victory was secured after her Liberal Democratic Party agreed on Monday to a coalition agreement with Japan’s right-wing Innovation Party.
The Liberal Democratic Party is Japan’s largest party. With only short interruptions (just four years), it has been in power since its founding in 1955. The Liberal Democrats’ ruling coalition with the Komeito Party has been in place since 2009.
The Liberal Democrats lost their majority in the lower house last year, but were able to stay in power with the help of their coalition partners.