đź”— Share this article Japan on course to elect woman prime minister in historic first Over the last two decades, Japan has had more than 10 leaders. In fact, a specialist compares assuming the nation's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup". However, what is the reason does Japan keep changing leaders? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", says Prof James Brown of Temple University Japan. The LDP's grip on the political landscape means the main political competition comes from within the party, rather than from opposition groups. "Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all desire their own faction to get the top job." "Thus although you could be chosen as prime minister, the moment you're in power, you have many individuals manoeuvring to try to get you out again." Main Reasons Behind Rapid Turnover Single-party rule limits outside challenges Party infighting drive leadership contests The prime minister's position is frequently called a "cursed position" Government continuity stays difficult to achieve despite financial power