The nation on course to choose female prime minister in historic first
In the past twenty years, the country has had over ten prime ministers.
Actually, a specialist likens assuming the country's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup".
But why does the country frequently replace leaders? It's due in part of it being a "one-party democracy", explains Prof James Brown of Temple University in Japan.
The Liberal Democratic Party's control on the political landscape means the main political competition comes from inside the party, instead of from external parties.
"Therefore inside the LDP there are intense conflicts within various groups - they all desire their own clique to get the leadership position."
"So even though you might be selected as leader, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to remove you again."
Key Factors Behind Frequent Changes
- One-party dominance restricts external competition
- Internal factional rivalries fuel leadership contests
- The leadership role is frequently called a "cursed position"
- Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite financial power
