Former Japanese internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi has won the race to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and is therefore likely become the nation's first female prime minister.

The winner of Saturday's run-off vote is expected to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba since the party remains the largest in parliament.

However, following the recent elections, the LDP-led coalition no longer holds majorities in either chamber and will require co=-operation from opposition MPs to govern effectively.

Takaichi beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a run-off after none of the five candidates won a majority in the first round of voting.

Takaichi won 185 votes to Koizumi's 156.

A vote in parliament to choose th

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