Sanae Takaichi has been elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party today. She is set to become the first female Prime Minister of Japan on 15th of this month.
Japan’s former Economic Security Minister Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff, securing 185 votes to Koizumi’s 156, after none of the five candidates in the party leadership race secured a majority in the initial round of voting.
The leadership election was triggered by the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last month.
Along with Sanae Takaichi, the contenders were former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Takayuki Kobayashi.
