Takaichi almost certain to continue as 1st female premier as Japanese parliament vote set for next week

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is almost certain to continue as the country’s first female Prime Minister as Japan’s parliament is set to hold a vote next week, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported Friday.

Takaichi is almost certain to win the parliament vote Wednesday to elect the next prime minister.

Her government holds a stronger hand in the House of Representatives after her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scored a major victory in the Feb. 8 lower house election.

She is likely to retain ministers for her second Cabinet.

The 64-year-old leader became the first female premier in October.

Wednesday will also mark the 150-day special Diet session, which is expected to last at least until July 17.

Speeches by the prime minister and three other senior ministers will be held Feb. 20.

The LDP and its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, won 352 seats, more than two-thirds of the powerful lower chamber, up from the razor-thin majority the coalition held before the vote.