🔗 Share this article The nation on course to elect woman prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, the country has had over ten leaders. Actually, one expert compares assuming the nation's highest office to drinking from a "cursed cup". However, what is the reason does the country frequently replace leaders? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the main political competition comes from inside the party, rather than from opposition groups. "So within the LDP there are vicious struggles within different factions - they all want their own faction to secure the leadership position." "Thus although you might be chosen as prime minister, as soon as you're in office, you have many individuals scheming to try to remove you again." Main Reasons Behind Frequent Changes One-party dominance limits outside challenges Internal factional rivalries fuel leadership contests The leadership role is often described as a "poisoned chalice" Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite economic strength