TOKYO (Reuters) -Anticipation grew on Monday that Sanae Takaichi will become Japan’s first female premier, with the backing of the right-wing opposition Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, pushing stocks in Tokyo to a record high.

Ishin lawmakers are set to meet later in the day to discuss forming a coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), followed by talks between Takaichi and Ishin leaders Fumitake Fujita and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, where the alliance is expected to be finalised.

“The relationship of trust is deepening substantially, and I believe that’s what the other party is thinking,” Fujita said on Sunday.

Japan’s blue-chip Nikkei share index jumped more than 2% in early trading.

A cooperation agreement would deliver a combined 231 seats in parlia

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