🔗 Share this article The nation set to choose female prime minister in landmark first Over the last two decades, Japan has had more than 10 leaders. Actually, one expert likens taking up the nation's highest office to taking a "poisoned chalice". However, what is the reason does Japan keep changing leaders? This is partly because of it being a "single-party system", says Professor James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the primary rivalry comes from inside the party, instead of from opposition groups. "So within the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own faction to get the leadership position." "So even though you might be chosen as prime minister, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people scheming to try to get you out again." Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover One-party dominance restricts external competition Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The leadership role is frequently called a "cursed position" Government continuity remains difficult to achieve despite economic strength