Takaichi, who is known to be an admirer of Britain's Margaret Thatcher, will get an early opportunity to meet President Donald Trump. They are both due to attend a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea at the end of October, and they should find common cause on conservative issues such as immigration.

The heavy-metal-loving, motorcycle-driving Sanae Takaichi (高市 早苗) was elected the first female prime minister of Japan on Tuesday. Wearing a blue suit jacket to reference U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is expected to move the country further to the political right.

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan's first female prime minister, a significant milestone in the country's male-dominated political landscape.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet started work on Wednesday, the day after it was established, and it had to respond to North Korea launching ballistic missiles in the morning.

The spouse of Japan's first woman Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to support her by being a "stealth husband", cooking meals but staying out of the spotlight.

Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan's first female prime minister, but her cabinet's lack of gender diversity, with only two women among 19 ministers, raises concerns about her commitment to advancing women's rights.

The new Japanese prime minister and LDP leader has been elected partly to see off a surging far right, at a time of significant change in society.

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister and Shinzo Abe’s protege, brings ultra-conservative views and bold policies to Tokyo’s top post.