Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan¡¯s first female political leader, is the ¡°highest-ranked political newcomer¡± in the Forbes World¡¯s Most Powerful Women ranking, released Wednesday.

The American business magazine compiles and publishes the ranking annually.

Takaichi¡¯s ¡°rise represents a departure from the status quo many observers hadn¡¯t expected,¡± the report said. It described the politician as somewhat ¡°complicated¡± from a gender lens, adding that she ¡°named just two women to her 19-member cabinet, reinforcing tradition in the very system she broke into.¡±

In response to a question on the ranking during a news conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that Takaichi¡¯s ¡°power¡± was her understanding and implementation of policy.

The top spots of the ranking were dominated by established figures. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, took first place, followed by Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank.

Takaichi, a long-established politician, was first elected to parliament in 1993. Over the years she has steadily climbed the political ranks of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, before becoming prime minister in October. Her victory made global headlines.

Her communication has been characterized as blunt, with her comments last month about Taiwan ¡ª stating that Japan would respond if China imposed a maritime blockade on the island nation ¡ª leading to an escalating, ongoing diplomatic spat with China. This has led to a decline in Chinese tourists traveling to Japan.

Her decree to ¡°work, work, work,¡± has also ruffled feathers.

But Takaichi is politically popular in Japan, with a 64% approval rating for her Cabinet, according to the latest polls.

She is also viewed favorably by the U.S. administration, with experts describing her genuine connection with U.S. President Donald Trump, during his recent Japan visit, as a positive factor for stable diplomatic relations between the two nations.