Japan's governing party on Saturday elected former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, a hardline ultra-conservative and China hawk, as its new leader.

She was elected LDP president on Saturday after winning a run-off vote against Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of a former prime minister.

Takaichi is a long-time admirer of Margaret Thatcher, but many female voters do not see her as an advocate for progress.