Dhaka, Oct. 20 -- Japan is on the verge of making history as Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is set to become the country's first female prime minister. The 64-year-old is expected to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tuesday's parliamentary vote, ending a three-month political vacuum following the coalition's defeat in the July election.

Takaichi assumed party leadership amid a major challenge: the moderate Komeito party, which had been in a 26-year-long coalition with the LDP, split over concerns about her ultraconservative stance and the party's handling of financial scandals. To secure enough votes, she quickly turned to the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai), signing a coalit...