🔗 Share this article Japan on course to elect woman prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, the country has had more than 10 leaders. Actually, one expert compares taking up the country's top job to taking a "poisoned chalice". However, what is the reason does Japan frequently replace prime ministers? This is partly because of it being a "single-party system", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the primary rivalry originates inside the party, rather than from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own faction to secure the top job." "So even though you might be selected as prime minister, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to get you out again." Main Reasons Behind Frequent Changes Single-party rule restricts outside challenges Party infighting fuel leadership contests The prime minister's position is frequently called a "poisoned chalice" Government continuity stays elusive despite economic strength