Japan elects its own 'Iron Lady' as first woman Prime Minister takes office

Japan's parliament has elected its first female Prime Minister, whose personal hero is Margaret Thatcher. The ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi will take the country's top office a day after her struggling party secured a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the right.

She has repeatedly referred to Thatcher as an inspiration and met Britain's first female PM before her death in 2013. Takaichi secured 237 votes - four more than a majority - compared to 149 won by Yoshikoko Noda, leader of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in the lower house, which elects the prime minister. Upon hearing the results, Takaichi rose and bowed deeply.

The LDP's partnership with the Osaka-based Right-wing Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, guaranteed her premiership because the Opposition is not united. However, Takaichi's unproven alliance still lacks a majority in both houses of Parliament and will need to win over other opposition groups to pass any legislation - a risk that could render her Government unstable and short-lived.

The two parties signed a coalition agreement on policies that highlight Takaichi's hawkish and nationalistic views.

Addressing rising costs and implementing other economic measures is the top priority for the Takaichi Government, LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki told NHK public television as he apologised for the delay due to the party's internal power struggle since the July election. He stated that the new coalition will collaborate with other opposition parties to swiftly tackle escalating prices to "live up to the expectations of the people."

Later in the day, Takaichi, 64, will introduce a Cabinet featuring several allies of the LDP's most influential kingmaker, Taro Aso, and others who supported her in the party leadership vote.

JIP will not hold ministerial positions in Takaichi's Cabinet until his party is confident about its partnership with the LDP, Yoshimura said.

Takaichi is working against the clock as she prepares for a significant policy speech later this week, in discussions with the US. President Donald Trump and regional summits. She needs to promptly address rising prices and compile economy-boosting measures by late December to alleviate public frustration.

Although she is the first woman to serve as Japan's prime minister, she is not in a hurry to promote gender equality or diversity.

Takaichi is among the Japanese politicians who have resisted measures for women's advancement. She supports the imperial family's male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples.