🔗 Share this article Japan set to choose female prime minister in landmark first In the past twenty years, Japan has seen over ten leaders. Actually, a specialist likens assuming the nation's highest office to taking a "cursed cup". However, what is the reason does Japan keep changing leaders? This is partly because 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 originates within the party, instead of from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all desire their own clique to get the top job." "Thus although you could be chosen as prime minister, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people scheming to try to remove you again." Main Reasons Behind Frequent Changes Single-party rule restricts external competition Internal factional rivalries drive power struggles The prime minister's position is often described as a "poisoned chalice" Government continuity remains elusive despite economic strength