Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi was elected by parliament Tuesday to become prime minister, shattering Japan’s glass ceiling as the country’s first female premier.
Takaichi avoided a runoff by coasting through in a first-round election in the Lower House with 237 votes to Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan President Yoshihiko Noda’s 149.
Lawmakers applauded Takaichi as she voted and welcomed her with a deafening second round of applause upon her election.
Monday’s agreement between the LDP and coalition party Japan Innovation Party (JIP) guaranteed a win for Takaichi by giving her the support she needed in order to withstand any challenge from opposition.
Takaichi was already making plans on Tuesday morning to form a Cabinet before officially being elected prime minister.