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.

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.