Nara City, Tokyo, Japan: Japan is set to make history as Sanae Takaichi is poised to become the nation’s next prime minister, marking the first time a woman will hold the office. This follows the recent resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down due to disagreements within the ruling party. Takaichi’s election as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) now positions her to assume the country’s top leadership role.

In recent parliamentary elections, the ruling LDP failed to secure a majority in the upper house, adding to its earlier loss of a lower house majority. This mounting political pressure contributed to Ishiba’s decision to resign. During the party’s leadership vote on Saturday, Takaichi emerged victorious, defeating Shinjiro Koizumi—the son of a former prime minister—along with three other contenders.

According to Reuters, Japan’s parliament is scheduled to vote on October 15 to officially elect the next prime minister. Takaichi, 64, has had a long political career, having first been elected to parliament in 1993, representing her hometown of Nara. Over the years, she has held several important roles within the LDP, including Minister of Economic Security, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Gender Equality.

Following her win, Takaichi addressed party members, expressing both her happiness and a sense of heightened responsibility as she prepares to lead the nation.