Sanae Takaichi’s rise as Japan’s first female prime minister marks a historic moment for the country and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), but one overshadowed by political fragility and economic uncertainty. After winning the Diet vote with the backing of the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi inherits a divided mandate, a skeptical electorate and markets braced for volatility. “Within the LDP, she benefited from being seen as the protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo