🔗 Share this article The nation on course to elect woman prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, the country has had more than 10 leaders. Actually, a specialist likens assuming the nation's highest office to taking a "cursed cup". However, what is the reason does the country frequently replace prime ministers? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the political landscape means the main political competition comes from within the party, rather than from opposition groups. "So within the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own clique to secure the leadership position." "So even though you could be selected as prime minister, the moment you're in power, you have dozens of people scheming to try to remove you again." Main Reasons Behind Rapid Turnover One-party dominance restricts outside challenges Internal factional rivalries fuel power struggles The leadership role is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Government continuity stays difficult to achieve despite financial power