🔗 Share this article Japan on course to choose woman prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, the country has had over ten prime ministers. In fact, one expert compares assuming the country's highest office to drinking from a "cursed cup". But why does Japan frequently replace leaders? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", says Professor James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the political landscape means the primary rivalry originates inside the party, instead of from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own clique to get the top job." "So even though you could be chosen as leader, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to remove you again." Main Reasons Behind Rapid Turnover Single-party rule restricts outside challenges Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The leadership role is often described as a "cursed position" Political stability remains elusive despite economic strength