Japan ranks low in gender equality among developed nations. The first woman to lead the country is an ultraconservative who cites Margaret Thatcher as a role model. She also loves heavy metal.

Ms Takaichi, an ultra-conservative who on Tuesday became Japan’s first female prime minister, had promised to model her government’s gender balance on countries such as Iceland and Finland, where women make up roughly half of all cabinet members.

Sanae Takaichi was named Japan's first woman prime minister Tuesday, with the social conservative saying she wanted "candid discussions" with US President Donald Trump just days ahead of his visit to Tokyo.

Conservative Sanae Takaichi of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was elected the country's first female prime minister on Tuesday, taking charge at a time when the country is struggling with rising economic problems, growing tensions in the region, and a divided political landscape.

Sanae Takaichi has pledged a crackdown on illegal immigration and foreigner crime, but has not launched a "deportations" ministry.