Ms Takaichi, an ultra-conservative who on Tuesday became Japan’s first female prime minister, had promised to model her government’s gender balance on countries such as Iceland and Finland, where women make up roughly half of all cabinet members.

Sanae Takaichi has pledged a crackdown on illegal immigration and foreigner crime, but has not launched a "deportations" ministry.

Japan's exports grew 4.2% in September, according to government data, on robust shipments to Asia that offset the decline to those destined for the U.S., which were impacted by President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Compact digital cameras are getting a surprise boost in popularity in Japan. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.