The nation set to choose female prime minister in landmark first
In the past twenty years, Japan has had over ten leaders.
Actually, one expert likens taking up the country's top job to drinking from a "poisoned chalice".
But why does Japan frequently replace leaders? This is partly because of it being a "single-party system", says Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan.
The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the country's politics means the main political competition comes from within the party, instead of from external parties.
"Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within various groups - they all desire their own faction to get the leadership position."
"So even though you might be selected as prime minister, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people scheming to try to remove you again."
Key Factors Behind Rapid Turnover
- One-party dominance limits outside challenges
- Party infighting fuel leadership contests
- The leadership role is frequently called a "cursed position"
- Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite financial power
