Election of Sanae Takaichi is a response to voter angst over immigration and other issues that is boosting conservatives and populists worldwide.

After two failed attempts, Sanae Takaichi finally achieved her long-held ambition. The 64-year-old was elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on its 70th anniversary - putting her on course to become the country's first female prime minister.

The Trump administration has big plans for the massive pot of money promised by Japan and other countries as part of their trade deals with the United States. But the eye-popping sums, as well as the White House’s demands for near-total control of the money, are raising doubts that the funding will ever materialize.

Japan’s beleaguered governing party will convene for a crucial election that could pave the way for the first female prime minister or the youngest leader in 140 years.

By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -With Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's prime minister, advancing expansionist economic policies, chances have risen that the central bank will avoid raising interest rates this month,