TOKYO, Oct 21, 2025 (AFP) – Japan’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday appointed the conservative China critic Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first woman prime minister.

The 64-year-old, appointed unexpectedly by majority in a first round of voting, will formally take office after meeting the emperor later Tuesday.

Takaichi secured 237 votes in lower house, enough votes with the backing of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which formed a coalition with the LDP, as well as with independents.

A premier needs a minimum support of 233 lawmakers in the 465-seat lower house of the bicameral parliament.

However, the premier election went for a runoff in upper house of the parliament where Takaichi secured a minimum 125 votes, against her main opponent Yoshihiko Noda, head of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

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The upper house has 246 lawmakers.

Takaichi was elected during the 219th extraordinary session of the parliament, locally known as Diet in Japan.

Soon after the election, Takaichi is set to announce her Cabinet lineup.

Shinjiro Koizumi is expected to be appointed defense minister, Toshimitsu Motegi is likely to become the foreign minister, and Yoshimasa Hayashi is expected to be allotted the internal affairs portfolio.

Earlier in the day, outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Cabinet resigned to pave the way for the election of the new leader.