🔗 Share this article The nation on course to elect female prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, the country has seen over ten leaders. In fact, one expert compares taking up the country's top job to drinking from a "poisoned chalice". But why does Japan frequently replace leaders? This is partly because of it being a "one-party democracy", explains Prof 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 external parties. "Therefore inside the LDP there are vicious struggles within different factions - they all desire their own faction to secure the leadership position." "Thus although you could be chosen as prime minister, the moment you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to get you out again." Key Factors Behind Frequent Changes Single-party rule restricts external competition Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The prime minister's position is frequently called a "cursed position" Political stability remains difficult to achieve despite economic strength