New Delhi, Oct. 4 -- Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative security hawk, is set to become Japan's new - and first female - prime minister, taking the helm of the country with the world's fourth-largest economy at a time of unusual political instability, rising prices and increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Takaichi, a 64-year-old newscaster turned politician who has served in top government positions, on Saturday defeated four other candidates - all men - to win the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This is her third run at the party leadership post.

She is poised to become prime minister later this month, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who last month announced he would step down after less than a year ...