Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday electedSanae Takaichi as its new president, setting her on course to become the country’s first female prime minister when parliament votes to confirm her in mid-October. Takaichi, a conservative lawmaker and long-time ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, defeated agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote, pledging to strengthen Japan’s defenses, maintain fiscal discipline and uphold the U.S. alliance. Her victory follows Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s decision to step down after the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in an election for the upper house of