Sanae Takaichi was elected the new leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on friday, a landmark victory that positions the conservative nationalist to become the country's first female prime minister.

Takaichi, 64, who previously served as the economic security minister, secured her victory in a hard-fought runoff election against agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The final vote tally was 185 to 156, concluding a leadership race that captured national attention. The election was triggered by the resignation of current prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose government lost its parliamentary majority in a recent election.

A staunch conservative and a close political ally of the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is known for her hawkish security views and "Abenomics"-style fiscal policies. She has voiced support for expansionary economic measures and has been critical of recent interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Her agenda includes a controversial push to revise Japan's pacifist constitution to formally recognize its military, a move that could heighten tensions with neighboring countries.

Her victory marks a historic moment for gender representation in Japanese politics, but her record presents a complex picture for gender equality advocates. While Takaichi has pledged to increase the number of women in government and focus on women's health issues, she also holds socially conservative stances. She has previously stated her opposition to same-sex marriage and supports maintaining Japan's male-only imperial succession laws, drawing criticism from progressive groups.

Takaichi's ascension comes at a perilous time for the LDP. The party is grappling with historically low approval ratings, driven by a series of corruption and fundraising scandals that have eroded public trust. Her immediate challenge will be to unite a fractured party and restore its credibility with voters.

However, her path to the prime minister's office is not guaranteed. Because the LDP-led coalition no longer holds a majority in parliament, Takaichi will need to successfully negotiate with opposition parties to form a government and pass legislation. Her leadership will be tested immediately as she works to address pressing domestic issues and navigate a complex international landscape, particularly managing the crucial alliance with the United States.