Tokyo: The Japanese parliament on Tuesday elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister. The 64-year-old conservative leader recently became the chairwoman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and was seen as the likely future head of government.

According to Emirates News Agency, Takaichi secured 237 votes, surpassing the required majority by four votes, in contrast to Yoshikoko Noda, head of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who received 149 votes in the lower house election. The lower house is responsible for electing the prime minister.

Takaichi takes over from Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned with his Cabinet earlier in the day after serving only one year as prime minister. This resignation paved the way for Takaichi to step into the role, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s political landscape.