🔗 Share this article The nation set to choose female prime minister in landmark first In the past twenty years, Japan has seen over ten leaders. In fact, one expert compares taking up the nation's top job to taking a "cursed cup". 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 within the party, instead of from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within various groups - they all want their own faction to get the top job." "Thus although you might be selected as prime minister, the moment you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to remove you again." Main Reasons Behind Frequent Changes One-party dominance limits external competition Internal factional rivalries drive leadership contests The prime minister's position is frequently called a "cursed position" Government continuity stays difficult to achieve despite financial power