Japan on course to choose woman prime minister in historic first
In the past twenty years, Japan has had more than 10 prime ministers.
Actually, a specialist likens taking up the country's highest office to drinking from a "cursed cup".
However, what is the reason does the country keep changing leaders? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", says Prof James Brown of Temple University Japan.
The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the main political competition comes from within the party, rather than from external parties.
"So within the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all desire their own faction to get the leadership position."
"Thus although you could be selected as leader, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to get you out again."
Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover
- Single-party rule restricts external competition
- Internal factional rivalries fuel leadership contests
- The leadership role is often described as a "cursed position"
- Political stability remains difficult to achieve despite financial power
