When Sanae Takaichi formally launched her third bid for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership on Sept. 19, Teri De Sario¡¯s 1984 upbeat hit, ¡°Overnight Success,¡± blasted from the speakers as she stepped into a room to present her candidacy.

¡°An overnight success, you have the power to rise above the rest,¡± reads the refrain of the anthem.

Takaichi¡¯s election as party leader, though ¡ª and her likely appointment as Japan¡¯s first female prime minister ¡ª are far from an ¡°overnight success.¡±