TOKYO, Sept 26, (AP): A record nine candidates are running in Japan's ruling party election Friday to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. A former defense minister who is a longtime veteran, the relatively young son of a popular former prime minister and the economic security minister who would be the country's first woman prime minister are considered top contenders.

No candidate is likely to win a majority in the first round, so the top two vote-getters will advance to a second round to be held immediately after the first on Friday afternoon. Here are the candidates: Ishiba, a 67-year-old former banker, is running in the leadership race for a fifth time and said this will be his "final battle.” First elected to parliament in 1986, he has served as defense minister, agriculture minister and other key Cabinet and party posts.

Despite his longstanding popularity among voters, the outspoken idealist has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. But now, Ishiba’s experience, stability and expertise is increasingly considered a strength for the party as it prepares to face the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s new leader, former prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, a veteran known for gripping speeches.

Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance and a more equal Japan-US security alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan’ s democracy. He calls for an establishment of a disaster management agency in one of the world’s most disaster-prone country. Ishiba vows to push for more diversity and gender equality.

He 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. Moves to change the code have stalled for decades due to the LDP’s sole opposition. Ishiba also supports legalizing same-sex marriage.