Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative, is set to become Japan's first female prime minister after being elected by her Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday.

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.