Japan's ruling party picked hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as its head, putting her on course to become the country's first female prime minister.

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.