Japan appointed Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister after a lower-house vote, prompting a risk-on tone across Asia. The Nikkei 225 neared a record intraday high near 49,300 as exporters benefited from a softer yen around ¥150.6 per dollar. Investors expect continuity on pro-growth reforms and defense spending. While enthusiasm supported cyclicals and autos, analysts flagged coalition fragility and policy uncertainty. Regional markets tracked gains, aided by a constructive U.S. earnings backdrop.