Mr Ishiba is realistic enough to know that the LDP could not do it alone.

ECONOMIST: An unusual militancy is creeping into mainstream politics

Shigeru Ishiba is a defence expert, but he has been put in charge of farms.

ECONOMIST: Aso steps up to the plate; but perhaps not to stay very long

Mr Ishiba expects a general election between October and the end of the year (one must be called by mid-2013).

ECONOMIST: An unusual militancy is creeping into mainstream politics

Masahiko Komura, defence minister under Mr Abe, becomes foreign minister, a post he has held before, while the able Shigeru Ishiba returns to defence.

ECONOMIST: Japan's new prime minister

He defeated ex-defence chief Shigeru Ishiba in a run-off vote.

BBC: Japan ex-PM Shinzo Abe elected opposition leader

Shigeru Ishiba, an influential LDP lawmaker, says Mr Tanigaki may be sounding strident because he wants to bring on a general election before his term as party leader ends in September.

ECONOMIST: An unusual militancy is creeping into mainstream politics

Mr Ishiba, who thinks Mr Tanigaki may not be re-elected as party leader, says it is more likely, provided Mr Noda promises to step down afterwards, that the party will support the consumption-tax increase in the upper house.

ECONOMIST: An unusual militancy is creeping into mainstream politics

If Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba judges the area safe after team members report back, he will likely order the main body of around 600 ground troops to set off beginning in late January, according to a Reuters report.

CNN: Japan ground troops set to leave