🔗 Share this article Japan on course to elect female prime minister in historic first In the past twenty years, Japan has had more than 10 prime ministers. In fact, one expert compares assuming the nation's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup". But why does Japan keep changing leaders? This is partly because of it being a "one-party democracy", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the political landscape means the primary rivalry comes from inside the party, rather than from external parties. "Therefore inside the LDP there are vicious struggles within different factions - they all want their own faction to get the top job." "Thus although you might be chosen as prime minister, the moment you're in power, you have many individuals scheming to try to get you out again." Main Reasons Behind Rapid Turnover Single-party rule restricts external competition Internal factional rivalries fuel leadership contests The leadership role is often described as a "poisoned chalice" Government continuity remains elusive despite financial power