NEW YORK >> The yen eased to a one-week low today after hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan’s prime minister, with traders betting her government could muddy the interest rate outlook and bring about a greater fiscal largesse.

Takaichi, the first female PM and leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote today to choose the next prime minister. The move was widely expected by investors after she was backed by the right-wing opposition party Ishin.

The Japanese currency was last down 0.76% at 151.895 per dollar, after earlier touching its lowest level against the dollar since October 14, in its biggest single-day fall in two weeks. The yen also struggled against the euro and sterling.

Earlier today, local media reported that Takaichi h

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