TOKYO — Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader on Friday, setting the stage for the 64-year-old conservative lawmaker to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Takaichi, a former government minister, television host, and avid heavy metal drummer, is one of Japan’s most recognizable—and polarizing—political figures.

A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, she has pledged to revive his economic program, known as Abenomics, combining high fiscal spending with cheap borrowing.

Her leadership comes at a turbulent time for the party. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned last month after just over a year in office following a string of election defeats that cost the LDP coalition its majority in both houses of parliament.

Takaichi now faces the challenge of uniting a fractured party while steering Japan through economic stagnation, rising inflation, and strained ties with the United States.

Known for her staunch conservatism, Takaichi has long opposed allowing women to keep their maiden names after marriage and rejects same-sex marriage.

She is also a frequent visitor to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan’s war dead—including convicted war criminals—are honored.

On foreign policy, Takaichi has taken a hawkish stance and supports revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.

She will also be tasked with navigating trade relations with the Trump administration and overseeing a fragile tariff deal reached under her predecessor.

Despite her historic rise, analysts say her appeal may be limited. “I think she’s in a good position to regain right-wing voters, but at the expense of wider popular appeal,” said Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo.

Parliament is expected to confirm Takaichi as prime minister, though unlike her predecessors, her path is not automatic given the LDP’s weakened grip on power. — BBC