🔗 Share this article The nation on course to choose woman prime minister in landmark first In the past twenty years, Japan has seen over ten prime ministers. Actually, one expert compares assuming the nation's highest office to taking a "poisoned chalice". But why does Japan keep changing leaders? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The LDP's grip on the political landscape means the main political competition comes from inside the party, rather than from external parties. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all desire their own clique to secure the top job." "So even though you could be chosen 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 limits external competition Party infighting drive power struggles The prime minister's position is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Government continuity stays elusive despite financial power