The Japanese Communist Party has picked a woman as its leader for the first time in its 102-year history.

The party's current policy chief, Tamura Tomoko, was appointed as the new chairperson at its congress on Thursday. She succeeds Shii Kazuo, who had been the chairperson since 2000.

Tamura, who is 58, was first elected to the Upper House in 2010 after working as a lawmaker's secretary. She is currently serving her third term.

Tamura became the party's policy chief four years ago. She is known for her questioning in the Diet about the alleged problems related to cherry blossom-viewing parties hosted by the late prime minister Abe Shinzo.
Tamura's appointment was part of the new leadership lineup the Communist Party announced on the final day of the congress that opened on Monday.

Shii is the new Central Committee chair. The post had been vacant since 2006.

Former Central Committee chair Fuwa Tetsuzo, who is 93, retired from the standing executive committee, the party's top leadership body.

The congress also adopted a resolution aiming to increase the number of the party's seats in the next Lower House election.

Observers say the party is seeking wider public support through Tamura's appointment.