Japan's embattled ruling party now has a new leader, Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative, who is poised to become the country's first female prime minister.  Her victory in the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership election came after she secured a majority in a runoff vote against Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The 85-year-old Taro Aso, the LDP's most powerful kingmaker and a former prime minister, backed Takaichi and reportedly influenced Saturday's party vote in her favor.

Tag-uri: Agricultura