Sanae Takaichi, a fan of Iron Maiden, had an improbable rise to power. Like her mentor, Shinzo Abe, she is expected to lead Japan to the right.

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

For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm of power as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative. It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

Japan's parliament has voted in the country's first ever female prime minister. Sanae Takaichi won 237 votes in the 465-seat lower chamber of parliament, and is also set to secure a majority in the less powerful upper house before being sworn in later today.

Japan’s trade minister reiterated that the country aims to curb dependence on Russian liquefied natural gas, but can’t immediately halt imports.