Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi was elected prime minister by parliament on Tuesday, shattering Japan’s glass ceiling to become the country’s first female leader.
Takaichi avoided a runoff by rolling to victory in a first round of voting in the Lower House, garnering 237 votes against Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda’s 149.
Lawmakers applauded Takaichi as she voted and welcomed her with another thunderous round of applause after her election.
