The candidates to be Japan’s next leader include a former premier’s son and a defense expert

TOKYO (AP) — Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support.

A record nine candidates, including two women, seek the top job. Here are the main contenders:

Shinjiro Koizumi, 43

The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths.

Koizumi has vowed to change an “old-fashioned LDP” and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public’s mandate.

Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands’ surname. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that’s supported by the country’s powerful business lobby.

He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China’s growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens.

Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan’s wartime militarism.

As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi