The nation on course to elect woman prime minister in historic first
Over the last two decades, the country has had more than 10 leaders.
Actually, a specialist compares taking up the nation's top job to drinking from a "cursed cup".
But why does Japan keep changing prime ministers? It's due in part of it being a "single-party system", says Professor James Brown of Temple University in 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 desire their own faction to get the top job."
"So even though you might be chosen as leader, as soon as you're in office, you have dozens of people manoeuvring to try to get you out again."
Main Reasons Behind Frequent Changes
- One-party dominance restricts outside challenges
- Party infighting fuel leadership contests
- The prime minister's position is frequently called a "cursed position"
- Political stability stays difficult to achieve despite economic strength
