The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the major opposition Japan Innovation Party have effectively agreed to form a coalition, with the JIP to offer support from outside the cabinet, senior officials from both parties said Saturday. JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura and LDP chief Sanae Takaichi are expected to sign a…

This would set the stage for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sanae Takaichi to be Japan’s first female prime minister.