Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned with his cabinet on Tuesday, marking an end to the administration that took office just over a year

TOKYO — Japan was set to get its first woman prime minister on Tuesday after Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, forged an 11th-hour deal to form a new coalition. But Japan’s fifth premier in as many years will lead a minority government and has a full in-tray, not least a scheduled visit by U.S. President Donald Trump next week.

Japan's ruling LDP will sign a coalition deal later Monday, its new partner party said, paving the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country's first woman premier and lifting the Nikkei to a new record.

US Ambassador to Japan George Glass has indicated that Washington will be comfortable working with whoever becomes the next Japanese prime minister.

The yen weakened on Monday as Sanae Takaichi, an advocate of fiscal and monetary stimulus, appeared all but certain to become Japan's next prime minister after reportedly securing crucial political backing for the top job.

Tomiichi Murayama, Japan's prime minister from 1994, was best known for the "Murayama Statement," an apology delivered on the 50th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.

The new head of Japan's ruling party, Sanae Takaichi, sent an offering but avoided visiting a controversial war shrine on Friday, as the prospects of her becoming prime minister brightened.- Trump visit - The clock is ticking for Takaichi to become Japan's fifth prime minister in as many years,

Lawmakers in the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) are set to meet this afternoon to decide whether to form an alliance with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that would likely lead to Sanae Takaichi becoming the country’s first female prime minister.