Japan’s ruling party starts a crucial election that will choose the new prime minister

TOKYO (AP) — A crucial party election in Japan on Friday will determine the nation’s new prime minister.

The vote by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party technically chooses a new party leader, but the winner is assured to be elected as prime minister in parliamentary vote next week because the party’s ruling coalition controls both houses.

The current p rime minister, Fumio Kishida, has been dogged by corruption scandals, and his party is looking for a fresh leader in hopes of regaining...