Japan’s Takaichi smashes glass ceiling

Sanae Takaichi came out top in a male-dominated race to lead Japan’s ruling party yesterday, putting her on course to emulate her hero, former British leader Margaret Thatcher, and become her country’s first female prime minister.

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BREAKING THE MOULD: Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 2nd from left, in Tokyo.

The fiscal dove’s surprise victory may jolt investor confidence in one of the world’s most indebted economies, while her nationalistic positions could stoke friction with powerful neighbour China, political analysts say.

She has also raised the possibility of redoing an investment deal with the US that reduced President Donald Trump's punishing tariffs on Japanese goods.

Having lost a runoff against Shigeru Ishiba to lead the Liberal Democratic Party last year, Ms Takaichi, 64, will now seek approval from parliament to replace him as prime minister.