Japan has its first female prime minister. Sanae Takaichi, 64, is the country's 104th prime minister. She won 237 votes in Japan's parliament. She takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for a year. Takaichi made a deal with a right-wing party to win. However, she has a difficult job. Japanese people are unhappy about food prices, job security, and a falling birth rate. They are also worried about the growing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi has had an interesting life. She played drums in a rock band. She supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She also had a powerful motorbike. In 1987, she moved to the USA and wrote books about politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor. Women hope Takaichi will support gender equality and diversity. However, she does not support same-sex marriage.