Japan Prepares to Elect first Female Prime Minister in History

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s cabinet has resigned ahead of a vote in parliament to send the country to a snap election expected to elect its first female prime minister.

Sanae Takaichi, who leads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will however lead a minority government.

The BBC correspondent says Ms Takaichi is a hardline conservative with no record of fighting for women’s rights.

Japanese analysts say his election is a strategy by his party to counter the growing influence of the right-wing Senseito party.

Ms Takaichi is expected to address issues of inflation and rising cost of living.