Japan's ruling party holds one of the most unpredictable leadership contests in decades on Friday, a race that could result in Japan's youngest or first female premier, or see a popular veteran succeed in his fifth and final leadership bid.

TOKYO (AP) — The governing party of outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds a key vote Friday that will establish a new national leader.

Japan’s LDP chose Ishiba Shigeru to lead the party, setting him up to become the new PM. At least in principle, that may mean some key policy changes.