Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), poses in the party leader’s office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a “new era” on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan’s ruling party, putting her on course to become the country’s first woman prime minister. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS