Takaichi, 64, beat out her competitor Shinjiro Koizumi to become the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who have been in power almost continuously since 1955.

Japan may see its first woman Prime Minister or youngest leader as candidates vie for ruling party leadership.

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