Takaichi paves way for Japan's 1st female PM by becoming ruling LDP head

Former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi secured her path to becoming Japan's first female prime minister on Saturday by winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in a runoff, with political confusion mounting under a minority government.Replacing outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Takaichi, 64, is also the first woman to assume the ruling party's top post, and her hawkish stance on diplomacy and security is expected to spark fresh friction with Asian neighbors such as China and South Korea.Takaichi won 185 votes in the runoff against farm minister Shin…READ FULL ARTICLE