Sanae Takaichi Nears Japan's First Female Prime Minister Amid Coalition Talks

Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is poised to become Japan's first female prime minister after securing support from the opposition Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), forming a coalition that could give her a parliamentary majority. The deal has boosted Japanese stocks and weakened the yen, with Takaichi's policies favoring fiscal expansion, military strengthening, and conservative social reforms. However, her coalition partners may limit some of her spending ambitions, and she will need to garner additional support to govern effectively.