TOKYO: Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister while maintaining socially conservative positions in a nation still grappling with patriarchal norms. The 64-year-old politician, who admires Margaret Thatcher, secured leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday and will likely assume office later this month. She has committed to appointing a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of female representation, a significant increase from outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba’s two fem ...