Japan is set to get its first female prime minister, after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party voted Sanae Takaichi as its leader.
Ms Takaichi won a party ballot in a run-off against Shinjiro Koizumi, who hoped to become the youngest prime minister in post-war Japan.
Ms Takaichi is a conservative and regards former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a role model.
Today, she pledged to strengthen Japan’s role in the Indo Pacific, tackle rising prices, and implement "robust" measures for hospitals and welfare.
The decision comes after the Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation, after he led the party into minority government following poor election results.
"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for carving out this new era for the Liberal Democratic Party," she told the party.
"Rather than feeling joyful now, I realise the real challenge lies ahead."
"We will forge a more spirited and vibrant party."
The decision comes after the Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation after only a year in the job.
The outgoing prime minister led the LDP into minority government after poor election results, with many voters viewing the once great political party as failing to deliver on cost-of-living issues.
The party's new leader vowed to "abandon" her work-life balance, as she works to restore trust.
"Our numbers are small," Ms Takaichi said.
"Everyone must work. I too will abandon work-life balance.
"I shall work, work, work, work, work."
Takaichi's image shift in face of political rivals
Ms Takaichi narrowly lost the leadership in last year's ballot, after party members swung behind Shigeru Ishiba, fearing the conservative politician may prove too divisive for mainstream voters.
In recent weeks, she's presented a softer image and built up a stronger social media following than the current Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba.
"I will work with proper modesty," Ms Takaichi said.
Her main rival, Shinjiro Koizumi, is the son of former maverick prime minister and neoliberal reformer, Junichiro Koizumi.
He's long been touted as a future prime minister and a consensus-builder.
But his support dropped last year after a series of poor interviews, including telling media he regarded climate change policy as "sexy".
His image improved this year as agriculture minister as he tackled the country's rice shortage.
"I have grown," he told the party faithful before the final party vote.
"I confronted the fact that I had failed to live up to the expectations of my supporters and the nation. I faced my own inadequacies and immaturity."
The position of prime minister now needs to be approved by the parliament.
