The 64-year-old conservative is known as Japan's "Iron Lady" - she's an admirer of the UK's former PM Margaret Thatcher.

This is her third attempt at becoming the Japanese leader, and she's the fourth PM in five years from her scandal-hit party, LDP. 

She belongs to the LDP's hardline wing. 

Trump had earlier hailed her as a "highly respected person of great wisdom". 

Now that she's elected, Takaichi's challenges will include fixing a sluggish economy, navigating a rocky US-Japan relationship and uniting a divided ruling party.