RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Sanae Takaichi as she become Japan’s first female prime minister, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Wednesday. Japan’s parliament elected Takaichi on Tuesday and she underlined her commitment to boosting Japanese defense as she prepared to host visiting U.S. President Donald Trump next week. Takaichi replaces outgoing Shigeru Ishiba after the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered disastrous losses in July elections for parliament’s upper house and lost its majority in the lower house last year.

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

The right-wing opposition Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, said it was ready to back hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi's premiership.