Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi was elected prime minister by parliament on Tuesday, shattering Japan¡¯s glass ceiling to become the country¡¯s first female leader.

Takaichi avoided a runoff by rolling to victory in a first round of voting in the Lower House, garnering 237 votes against Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda¡¯s 149.

Lawmakers applauded Takaichi as she voted and welcomed her with another thunderous round of applause after her election.