Japan's ruling conservative party has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the 64-year-old to be Japan's first female prime minister.
Takaichi is among the more conservative candidates leaning to the ruling party's right. A former government minister, TV host and avid heavy metal drummer, she is one of the best known figures in Japanese politics - and a controversial one at that.
She faces many challenges, including contending with a sluggish economy and households struggling with relentless inflation and stagnant wages.
She will also have to navigate a rocky US-Japan relationship and see through a tariff deal with the Trump administration agreed by the previous government.
If confirmed as prime minister, one of Takaichi's key challenges will be uniting the party after a turbulent few years which saw it rocked by scandals and internal conflicts.
