Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected as country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to win election, she had to make alliance with right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job security, falling birth rate, and how to care for increasing number of old people.
Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led interesting life. At university, she played drums in heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and supports Gamba Osaka soccer team and Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested in motorcycles and had powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved to USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as TV anchor on variety show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender equality and diversity. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples. In addition, she does not agree that woman should become emperor ahead of man.
