TOKYO: Japan’s ruling LDP will sign a coalition deal later Monday, its new partner party said, paving the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s first woman premier and lifting the Nikkei to a new record. The 11th-hour announcement by the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) came just a day before the lower house was due to vote on Takaichi’s appointment as the fifth prime minister in as many years. “After giving it careful thought last night, I telephoned (LDP) president Takaichi this morning to reach a coalition agreement,” said Hirofumi Yoshimura, JIP co-head.

Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi appears back on track to becoming Japan first female prime minister.

TOKYO: Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party have broadly agreed to form a coalition government, setting the stage for the country’s first female prime…