🔗 Share this article The nation on course to choose female prime minister in landmark first In the past twenty years, the country has had more than 10 prime ministers. Actually, one expert likens assuming the nation's highest office to drinking from a "poisoned chalice". However, what is the reason does the country keep changing prime ministers? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", says Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The LDP's grip on the country's politics means the main political competition comes from within the party, instead of from external parties. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own clique to get the top job." "So even though you might be chosen as leader, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to remove you again." Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover Single-party rule restricts external competition Internal factional rivalries drive power struggles The prime minister's position is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Political stability stays elusive despite financial power