Japan’s Sanae Takaichi to Become First Female Prime Minister After Winning Lower House Vote

Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), won a vote in the Lower House on Tuesday to become the country’s next prime minister — paving the way for her to take office later in the day as Japan’s first woman to hold the post.

According to officials from the Lower House, Takaichi secured 237 votes, comfortably surpassing the majority required in the 465-member chamber.

She is also expected to be endorsed by the less powerful Upper House, clearing the final procedural step before she is formally sworn in as Japan’s 104th Prime Minister this evening.

Takaichi will succeed Shigeru Ishiba, who announced his resignation last month, taking responsibility for his party’s defeat in the recent elections.