Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan's first female PM

Sanae Takaichi won the parliamentary vote to become Japan's prime minister on Tuesday, making her the first woman to clinch the nation’s top leadership job.

- Bloomberg

She secured 237 votes in the more powerful lower house, bringing her four votes above the majority line needed to confirm her victory. Lawmakers who aren't affiliated with any major party, including Tadashi Morishima, appeared to have supported Takaichi’s bid for leadership. Shortly after that result, she proceeded to win a runoff vote in the upper house.

Takaichi’s ascension to the premiership is a historic feat in a country that has ranked low in female political representation. With that achievement out of the way, she will now face a range of challenges that include persistent inflation, a tense security environment and simmering domestic political instability.