What to know about Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first woman Prime Minister

The Japanese have elected their first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, a conservative politician known as the “Iron Lady” and a close ally of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. She will be sworn in today.

The 64-year-old from the LPD party will be Japan’s fourth leader in five years. She is immediately tasked with forming a new cabinet and addressing pressing national concerns such as high inflation, economic stagnation, and political dissatisfaction among voters.

Takaichi also faces the challenge of managing Japan’s rocky relationship with the US and uniting a divided ruling party.  

President Donald Trump called her a “highly respected person of great wisdom.”