Japan will have its first female prime minister, the ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi

Tokyo — Japan’s parliament on Tuesday elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister, a day after her struggling party reached a coalition deal with a new partner expected to push its ruling bloc further to the right.

Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and disputes since the Liberal Democratic Party’s disastrous election defeat in July.

Ishiba, who lasted only one year as prime minister, resigned with his cabinet that same day, paving the way for his successor.

Takaichi obtained 237 votes – four more than the majority – compared to the 149 obtained by Yoshikoko Noda, leader of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in the lower house, which elects the prime minister.

The LDP’s makeshift alliance with the Osaka-based right-wing Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin no Kai, secured his premiership because the opposition is not united.

Takaichi’s untested alliance still falls short of a majority in both houses of parliament and will need to court other opposition groups to pass any legislation, a risk that could make his government unstable and short-lived.

“Political stability is essential at this time,” Takaichi said at Monday’s signing ceremony with JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. “Without stability, we cannot push for measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.”

His victory moves Japan to the right, including on immigration and social issues.

Additionally, Takaichi faces public anger over rising prices after years of deflation. This is increasing support for opposition groups such as the far-right Sanseito party.

The two parties signed a coalition agreement on policies that underscore Takaichi’s tough, nationalist views.

Their last-minute deal came after the Liberal Democrats lost their former partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more moderate and centrist stance. The split threatened a shift in power for the LDP, which has ruled Japan almost continuously for decades.

Later in the day, Takaichi, 64, will present a cabinet with several allies of the LDP’s most powerful leader, Taro Aso, and others who backed her in the party leadership vote.

The JIP will not hold ministerial positions in Takaichi’s cabinet until his party is confident in its partnership with the LDP, Yoshimura said.

Takaichi is approaching the deadline: a major political speech later this week, conversations with president trump and regional summits. It needs to quickly address rising prices and compile measures to boost the economy by the end of December to address public frustration.

Although she is the first woman to serve as Japan’s prime minister, she is in no rush to promote gender equality or diversity.

Takaichi is among Japanese politicians who have blocked measures for the advancement of women. Takaichi supports the all-male succession of the imperial family and opposes same-sex marriage and allows separate surnames for married couples.

a protégé of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Takaichi, an admirer of Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, is expected to emulate Abe’s policies, including a stronger military and economy, as well as an overhaul of Japan’s pacifist constitution. With potentially weak control of power, it is unknown how much Takaichi will be able to achieve.

When Komeito left the ruling coalition, he cited the LDP’s lax response to the slush fund scandals that led to its consecutive election defeats.

The centrist party also expressed concern about Takaichi’s revisionist view of Japan’s wartime past and its Regular prayers at Yasukuni Shrine. despite protests from Beijing and Seoul, who see the visits as a lack of remorse for Japanese aggression, as well as his recent xenophobic comments.

Takaichi has toned down his harsh rhetoric. On Friday he sent a religious ornament instead of going to Yasukuni.

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