TOKYO, Oct 21 - Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote to choose the next prime minister today, clearing the way for her inauguration as the country's first female premier later in the day.
Takaichi received 237 votes, topping the majority of the 465-seat chamber, according to a lower house staff.
She will likely be approved by the less-powerful upper house as well and sworn in as Japan's 104th prime minister this evening to succeed the incumbent Shigeru Ishiba, who last month announced his resignation to take responsibility for election losses.