Tokyo [Japan], October 21 (ANI): Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi was elected Prime Minister by parliament on Tuesday, becoming the country’s first female leader.
Takaichi secured victory in the first round of voting in the Lower House, avoiding a runoff, with 237 votes against Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda’s 149, Kyodo reported. Out of 465 votes cast in the Lower House, 64-year-old Takaichi emerged victorious, officially becoming Japan’s Prime Minister.
Among the challenges facing Takaichi are a sluggish economy and uniting the ruling party, which has been shaken by scandals and internal conflicts.
On Monday, Takaichi, seeking a new political partner, reached a formal agreement with Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai. Takaichi, a protégé of the late former PM Shinzo Abe, had already begun forming a Cabinet on Tuesday morning ahead of her formal election. No lawmakers from JIP are expected to join the Cabinet at this stage.
Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on key reforms, including reducing the number of lawmakers in Japan’s parliament by 10 percent and overhauling the social security system. The JIP’s long-standing proposal to make Osaka a “secondary capital” alongside Tokyo is also expected to feature in the joint agenda.
JIP parliamentary leader Fumitake Fujita said the decision to form a coalition with the LDP received strong support within the party. “There was not a single cautious, opposing, or critical opinion,” he told reporters after a party meeting on Sunday.
Takaichi has reportedly offered several ministerial posts to JIP members to strengthen the alliance. However, the party has shown reluctance to accept such positions. Former JIP leader Nobuyuki Baba stated that none of the party members at Sunday’s meeting supported taking Cabinet posts in Takaichi’s administration. (ANI)
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