Though Mr Hashimoto himself may have little difficulty remaining as party leader, his deputy, Koichi Kato, is itching for a change.

ECONOMIST: Hashimoto��s curious comeback

LDP's three other main factions one led by Koichi Kato, another by Mr Mori and the third by Taku Yamasaki is big enough to take command.

ECONOMIST: Japan��s new politics

LDP, led by Koichi Kato (widely viewed as the leading candidate to replace Mr Mori), while not proposing actual spending cuts, are at least opposing new spending plans.

ECONOMIST: Japanese finances