DEVELOPING: Japan's Ruling Party Elects Sanae Takaichi as Leader, Setting Stage for Historic Female PM Bid

Breaking News: Japan's Ruling Party Elects Sanae Takaichi as Leader, Setting Stage for Historic Female PM Bid Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her likely to become the country's first female prime minister. Takaichi won the election on Saturday in Tokyo. Takaichi's victory sets the stage for a historic moment in Japanese politics, where she is poised to break down barriers as the first female leader of the LDP and potentially the first female prime minister. The 64-year-old Takaichi is known for her hard-line ultra-conservative views and her admiration for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She has been a protege of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vision and has regularly visited the Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. Takaichi's election comes at a critical time in Japanese politics, with the country facing economic challenges and regional tensions. Her leadership is likely to have significant implications for Japan's domestic and foreign policies. This is a developing story, with further details emerging as the situation unfolds. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*