Hardliner Takaichi wins historic vote

Japan got its first woman prime minister yesterday after Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, forged an 11th-hour coalition deal.

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Japan’s fifth premier in as many years will lead a minority government and has a bulging in-tray, not least a scheduled visit by US President Donald Trump next week.

The lower house of parliament appointed Takaichi, an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister yesterday, after she unexpectedly won a slim majority in a first round of voting.

The upper house then voted in her favour, although in a runoff after Takaichi fell short of a majority. Takaichi will formally take office after meeting the emperor later.

The former heavy metal drummer became on 4 October head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost nonstop for decades, but is losing support.