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The parliamentary vote came one day after the LDP struck a coalition deal with a new partner, the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. The pact is expected to pull the LDP further to the right.
The Japanese parliament has elected its first female prime minister, ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
She replaces Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down after the LDP’s disastrous election loss in July linked to a slush fund scandal.
The parliamentary vote came one day after the LDP struck a coalition deal with a new partner, the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. The pact is expected to pull the LDP further to the right.
Their last-minute deal came after the Liberal Democrats lost its longtime partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more dovish and centrist stance. The breakup threatened a change of power for the LDP, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for decades.
Takaichi won 237 votes, just four more than a majority. Yoshikoko Noda, who leads the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan won 149.
The new coalition is still short of a majority in both houses of parliament and will need support from other opposition groups to pass any legislation – a risk that could make her government unstable and short-lived.
The new prime minister to deliver a major policy speech later this week, talks with US President Donald Trump and regional summits. She also needs to quickly tackle rising prices and compile economy-boosting measures by the end of the year to address public frustration.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to emulate his policies including a stronger military and economy, as well as revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.
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Her critics say despite being a woman, her advocated policy approach stonewalls women development and dubbed as a follower of imperialist syndrome of male dominance. Male only succession is a major credo of the party she represents, while against same sex marriage and usage of separate surnames for married couples.
