By John Geddie

TOKYO (Reuters) -Sanae Takaichi came out top in a male-dominated race to lead Japan’s ruling party on Saturday, putting her on course to emulate her hero, former British leader Margaret Thatcher, and become her country’s first female prime minister.

The fiscal dove’s surprise victory may jolt investor confidence in one of the world’s most indebted economies, while her nationalistic positions could stoke friction with powerful neighbour China, political analysts say.

She has also raised the possibility of redoing an investment deal with the U.S. that reduced President Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs on Japanese goods.

NOISEMAKER WITH NATIONALIST BENT

Having lost a run-off against Shigeru Ishiba to lead the Liberal Democratic Party last year, Takaichi, 64, will now seek

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