A woman gets the head of government in Japan for the first time: Sanae Takaichi, making history

For the first time inJapan's history, a woman is on the verge of becoming prime minister. Sheis Sanae Takaichi , an ultraconservative and veteran figure of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), who has been appointed this Saturday as the party's leader.

Takaichi, 64, has outvoted Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a contentious internal vote (185 votes for the ultraconservative and 156 votes for the son of former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi).

The future president will take on the challenge of strengthening the party as a result of successive electoral defeats and the resignation ofhis predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba . Takaichi will have to regain public confidence, connect with younger voters and negotiate with other parties to pass laws and budgets in a parliament where officialism has lost its strength.

In economic terms, it is expected to maintain an active fiscal policy and monetary stimulus in line withAbe's legacy. In his view, low interest rates must be maintained, which may affect financial markets. At the diplomatic level, his nationalist stance could strain relations with China, especially because of his intention to continue visiting the Yasukuni shrine, linked to Japan's militaristic past.