🔗 Share this article Japan on course to choose woman prime minister in historic first In the past twenty years, the country has had more than 10 leaders. Actually, a specialist likens assuming the nation's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup". But why does the country frequently replace leaders? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", says Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The LDP's grip on the political landscape means the primary rivalry comes from inside the party, rather than from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are vicious struggles within various groups - they all want their own faction to get the leadership position." "So even though you could be chosen as leader, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people scheming to try to get you out again." Main Reasons Behind Rapid Turnover One-party dominance restricts outside challenges Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The prime minister's position is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Political stability remains difficult to achieve despite economic strength