A record 9 lawmakers are vying to become Japan's leader, with pledges of change and stronger defense

TOKYO (AP) — A record nine Japanese lawmakers formally entered the race on Thursday to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as head of the governing party and leader of the nation, hoping to regain public support for the party following corruption scandals.

Voting in the Sept. 27 Liberal Democratic Party leadership contest is limited to its lawmakers and 1 million dues-paying grassroots members, with the winner assured of becoming prime minister because of the governing coalition's domination of parliament.

The vote comes as Japan is seeking to play a greater role in regional security, economics and diplomacy in response to threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

Kishida, who took office in 2021 and backed a rapid military buildup and doubling of defense spending, announced last month he is stepping down when his current three-year term as party leader and prime minister ends in September to allow a new leader to shake off damage from the corruption scandals.

The nine candidates include two women. None is expected to win a majority in the first round of voting because of the large number, and a runoff is likely.

Many of the candidates have stressed their ability to achieve reforms and tackle pressing issues such as Japan's declining birthrate, stagnating incomes, gender inequality and security threats.

“I will do everything to protect Japan,” Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister and a favorite among the public, said in his 10-minute policy speech at the party headquarters. He called for the formation of an Asian version of NATO, noting that North Korea has test-fired missiles that have landed in waters off Japan's western coast.

“This vote is about whether the LDP can change, and who can change it,” said former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a leading contender and the son of former popular Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. “As prime minister, I will change Japan, which has fallen behind the times.”

Koizumi pledged to accelerate reforms to create a society with greater choices for people, including the option for married women to keep their maiden names, a change that has been stalled for decades by his party’s conservatives.

Digital Minister Taro Kono, another popular candidate who has served as defense and foreign minister, said Japan cannot rely solely on the United States for its protection and should play a greater role in regional security. “Unlike past leadership elections, when we mainly discussed the shape of our country, this race is about discussing how to shape the world,” Kono said.

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, seeking to become Japan’s first female prime minister, said, “The single fact that I’m standing here at the starting line shows there is a new LDP, and it’s a big step forward.”

Party leadership votes used to be largely power struggles decided by leaders of rival factions who typically endorsed one candidate from their group, often by seniority. But reforms introduced by Kishida following a money donation scandal led to the dissolution of all but one faction, that led by former Prime Minister Taro Aso. That has allowed more diverse candidates, including younger lawmakers, to come forward.

Also running are Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi and former Health Minister Katsunobu Kato.

Starting Thursday, the candidates will campaign around the country to appeal to party supporters and participate in joint speech and debate sessions in Tokyo.

Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's governing party, Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, a candidate for the party’s presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Digital Minister Taro Kono, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a candidate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, attends a joint speech session with other candidates, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

This photo combination shows the candidates of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for the party's upcoming presidential election. Top row from left, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi. Middle row from left, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi. Bottom row from left, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato. 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. (AP Photo)

The candidates of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for the party's upcoming presidential election attend the meeting of their speeches at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept.12, 2024. Candidates are front row from from left, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, Digital Minister Taro Kono, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi at the party’s headquarters n Tokyo, Japan Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs are signing Kareem Hunt to their practice squad, reuniting with a running back who first achieved stardom with them before video of him assaulting a woman led to his release, a person familiar with their decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet announced the move.

The Chiefs brought Hunt in for a workout after Isiah Pacheco, their top running back, sustained a right ankle injury in Sunday's win over Cincinnati that could keep him out the majority of the season. They also have Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list for at least two more games, leaving them short-handed at the position heading to Atlanta this weekend.

Undrafted rookie Carson Steele and journeyman Samaje Perine are expected to get the majority of snaps, though the Chiefs also have Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey that they could promote from the practice squad to provide some depth.

That is where Hunt is likely to reside for at least a couple of weeks, until he learns enough of the playbook to contribute.

The Chiefs drafted him in the third round in 2017 out of Toledo, and he immediately made an impact, running for a league-high 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie. He came back the following season, the first with Patrick Mahomes as the starter at quarterback, and ran for 824 yards and seven touchdowns through the first 11 games.

In late November, video surfaced that showed Hunt shoving a woman to the ground and kicking her in the hallway of a Cleveland hotel. The Chiefs released him, though no charges were filed when the woman stopped cooperating with authorities.

The Browns signed him in February, and Hunt served an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2018 season for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy. He went on to run for for 179 yards and two touchdowns and caught 37 passes for 285 yards and another score, earning a two-year, $13.25 million contract extension to remain a part of the Cleveland backfield.

Hunt missed part of the 2021 season with a calf injury and fell behind Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford in the rotation, and he did not re-sign with Cleveland after last season. He wound up spending five years there, running for 2,285 yards and five TDs.

The Chiefs are chasing a record third consecutive Super Bowl title this season. They opened with a 27-20 win over Baltimore that came down to an incompletion by the Ravens in the end zone on the final play of the game. Then on Sunday, they rallied to beat the Bengals 26-25 when Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal with no time left.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, right, runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to the media after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 26-25. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) scores a touchdown ahead of Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) as Chiefs offensive guard Cameron Erving (75) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)