Japan on course to choose woman prime minister in landmark first
Over the last two decades, Japan has had more than 10 prime ministers.
Actually, one expert compares assuming the country's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup".
But why does Japan keep changing leaders? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University Japan.
The LDP's grip on the country's politics means the main political competition comes from within the party, rather than from external parties.
"Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within different factions - they all want their own faction to secure the leadership position."
"So even though you could be selected as leader, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people scheming to try to remove you again."
Key Factors Behind Frequent Changes
- Single-party rule limits outside challenges
- Party infighting drive leadership contests
- The leadership role is often described as a "poisoned chalice"
- Government continuity remains difficult to achieve despite financial power
