Japan made history yesterday as Sanae Takaichi was confirmed as the country’s first female prime minister, following a tight parliamentary vote that secured her position after weeks of political uncertainty.

Takaichi, a veteran lawmaker and ally of former leader Shinzo Abe, won 237 votes in the 465-member lower house after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) reached a last-minute coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party. The deal allows the LDP to form a government despite falling two seats short of an outright majority.

She succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, whose short-lived government collapsed after the party’s poor performance in July’s general election.

Takaichi, 63, is known for her hardline views on national security, constitutional reform, and social policy. She has opposed same-sex marriage and resisted moves to allow women to become the head of the Japanese royal family, drawing both criticism and praise within Japan’s shifting political landscape.

Markets responded positively to expectations that her administration will unveil new fiscal stimulus to boost the world’s fourth-largest economy, though analysts warned Japan’s heavy debt burden could limit her options.

Takaichi is expected to deliver her first policy speech later this week and hold talks with American President Donald Trump to reaffirm Japan’s security alliance.

Despite the historic milestone, her government faces immediate challenges: an aging population, slow wage growth, and simmering geopolitical tensions with China and North Korea.