Japan set to choose female prime minister in landmark first
In the past twenty years, the country has seen more than 10 leaders.
In fact, one expert likens taking up the country's highest office to drinking from a "poisoned chalice".
But why does the country keep changing prime ministers? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", explains Professor James Brown of Temple University in Japan.
The LDP's grip on the political landscape means the primary rivalry comes from within the party, instead of 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."
"Thus although you could be selected as prime minister, as soon as you're in power, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to remove you again."
Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover
- One-party dominance restricts outside challenges
- Internal factional rivalries fuel leadership contests
- The prime minister's position is frequently called a "poisoned chalice"
- Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite economic strength
