, Columnist
From Radical to Rihanna, the Myths About Japan’s Next Leader
Separating fact from fiction on Sanae Takaichi.
Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg
The prospect of a new Japanese leader doesn’t always generate international excitement.
But Sanae Takaichi’s somewhat surprising victory in to become leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, which puts her in pole position to become prime minister next week, jolted markets and energized both sides of the political spectrum.