Sanae Takaichi elected Japan’s first female prime minister after coalition deal

The Japanese parliament has elected its first female prime minister, ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

She replaces Shigeru Ishiba, who stepped down after the LDP’s disastrous election loss in July linked to a slush fund scandal.

The parliamentary vote came one day after the LDP struck a coalition deal with a new partner, the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. The pact is…