
Japan made history Tuesday as lawmakers elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi the country�s first female prime minister. Takaichi takes office after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered major election losses and formed a shaky new coalition that could shift Japan further to the right. She pledged to strengthen Japan�s defense posture as she prepares to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump to Tokyo next week � signaling that security and U.S.-Japan relations will be top priorities for her�new�government.