Sanae Takaichi made history today by winning Japan’s parliamentary election to become the country’s first female prime minister.
According to public broadcaster NHK, Takaichi won 237 votes in the first round, eliminating the need for a second round in the 465-seat lower house of parliament.
Her victory came after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party merged with the Japan Innovation Party and reportedly signed an agreement to form a coalition government over the weekend.
Takaichi has agreed to support the policies of the Japan Innovation Ministry, such as reducing the number of parliamentary seats, providing free secondary education, and suspending the food consumption tax for 2 years, Reuters reported.
Local Japanese media also reported that the JIP would not seek government positions in the new administration and would instead support the government from outside.
Under former Prime Minister Ishiba’s administration, the Liberal Democratic Party suffered heavy electoral losses, losing its majority in both houses of the Diet.
