🔗 Share this article Japan on course to elect woman prime minister in landmark first In the past twenty years, the country has seen more than 10 leaders. In fact, a specialist likens assuming the country's highest office to drinking from a "poisoned chalice". But why does Japan keep changing prime ministers? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", says Prof James Brown of Temple University Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the primary rivalry originates within the party, instead of from external parties. "So within the LDP there are intense conflicts within various groups - they all desire their own faction to secure the leadership position." "So even though you might be selected as prime minister, as soon as you're in office, you have many individuals manoeuvring to try to remove you again." Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover Single-party rule restricts outside challenges Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The leadership role is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite economic strength