Once confirmed by parliament — seen as highly likely — Takaichi will become the country’s first woman head of government and Japan’s fifth leader in as many years.

Voters have been deserting the long-dominant LDP in droves because of inflation and a recent slush fund scandal. Source: EPA / Franck Robichon

Takaichi has repeatedly referred to Thatcher as a source of inspiration, citing her strong character and convictions coupled with her “womanly warmth”.

She said she met the conservative Thatcher, a divisive figure in UK politics known as “the Iron Lady”, at a symposium shortly before Thatcher’s death in 2013.

Takaichi’s politics

She supports aggressive monetary easing and big fiscal spending, echoing her political mentor’s “Abenomics” policies, which, if implemented again, could rattle markets.

On tariffs, she told a panel discussion this month that she won’t shy away from pushing for renegotiations with the United States if the deal is implemented in a way deemed harmful or unfair to Japan.

Takaichi vows ‘Nordic levels’ of women in parliament

But although her election “would be a step forward for women’s participation in politics”, according to Sadafumi Kawato, professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, she’s shown little inclination to fight against patriarchal norms.