Sanae Takaichi wins vote to become Japan's first female PM

AWANI

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan’s first female prime minister, taking office after a parliamentary vote while heading a government that still lacks a clear majority.

Transcript

00:00Japan has made history with its first female prime minister.

00:05Sanae Takaichi was officially appointed on Tuesday after winning a parliamentary vote to become the country's next leader.

00:12The 64-year-old secured a narrow majority in the lower house before the upper house confirmed her appointment in a second round of voting.

00:21The Liberal Democratic Party leader takes office at a turbulent time,

00:28clenching power through a last-minute coalition deal, though her government still lacks a clear majority, raising the risk of instability.

00:37Markets reacted swiftly to Takaichi's appointment.

00:40Japanese stocks swung sharply with the Nikkei 225 rising as much as 1.6% before easing to end slightly lower,

00:49just below the key 50,000 mark.

00:52The yen also weakened as investors bet on more fiscal stimulus under Takaichi's leadership.

00:58Local media reports she plans to appoint Satsuki Katayama as finance minister, the first woman ever to hold the post.

01:07Takaichi is also expected to seek cordial ties with U.S. President Donald Trump

01:11and to strengthen Japan's long-standing security alliance with Washington.

01:16The two leaders are set to meet next week.

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