Each week, here at Osaka.com, we bring you a selection of some of the top stories about Osaka making the local and national news here in Japan. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, but it’s always direct to you, from Osaka.
Osaka Mayor and Governor Plan Dual Election to Seek Fresh Mandate
Amid concerns that their plans to turn Osaka into Japan’s second capital, a key election pledge, remains unfulfilled, Osaka’s Governor and Mayor both announced plans to face the electorate once again in the near future.
Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and his Osaka City Subordinate Hideyuki Yokoyama both plan to seek re-election in the coming ballot. Both men are prominent members of the Japan Innovation Party, also known colloquially as Nippon Ishin. Since late last year, the JIP maintains a loose coalition with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party. They continue to prop up Takaichi’s minority government. In turn, the LDP promised to move forward with the JIP’s Osaka Metropolis Plan.
However, this flagship policy has already been voted down twice by the Osaka electorate, once in 2015 and then again in 2020.
The JIP maintain that it is the most prosperous way forward for Osaka, however. So, Yoshimura and Yokoyama believe that seeking a fresh mandate will help to bolster the popularity of their plan.
Voters remain unconvinced though, with some calling this fresh election a cynical political stunt.
Local Election Expected to Run Alongside National Vote
It seems though that it’s not just the people of Osaka Prefecture who will soon be heading to the polls. Many view Osaka’s gubernatorial and mayoral election announcement as something of a preemptive strike. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to call a national election in the coming days. Political commentators believe we could have a national election as soon as February.
Such a vote represents something of a calculated risk for Takaichi and her fledgling administration. She enjoys a high level of personal popularity. However, the LDP remain under pressure nationally. Many voters, in Osaka and elsewhere have not forgiven them for the political slush fund scandal that swept through the party last year. Ultimately, the inability to reign in the excesses of their members and a seemingly lack of contrition from many senior party members led to the current political impasse.
Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called a general election last summer, at which the LDP subsequently lost their majority. By the time the dust settled from that stinging defeat Takaichi was Japan’s first female Prime Minister and The JIP found themselves as the government’s new junior coalition partner. They replaced longstanding LDP partner Komeito, who as pacifist party were long regarded as a check and balance on some of the LDP’s more hawkish elements.
Election Strategy “Risky”
However, Takaichi’s firebrand approach, torching relations with China and proposing a number of tough policies affecting foreign residents in Japan, have proven popular among conservatives to date.
However, thus far it has largely been rhetoric and little actual policy progression. Calling an election now will also delay the implementation of any new budgetary measures. Polls show that, despite concerns about immigration, the priorities for most voters remain economic stability and the rising cost of living.
Takaichi is taking a big risk here, banking on her own personal popularity to carry her weakened party to success. Will the voters buy it? That remains to be seen.
Fire Prompts Emergency Mobilization Near Tsutenkaku
Meanwhile, back in Osaka, firefighters had to mobilize quickly this week, when a national treasure came under threat.
A fire in the Ebisucho area, close to the famous Tsutenkaku tower, one of Osaka’s best-known landmarks, drew 30 fire trucks to the scene.
The fire broke out in a three-story shop building about 200 meters from the Tsutenkaku. Thankfully, the swift mobilization of Osaka’s Fire Service ensured that everyone was successfully evacuated from the building.
Despite the chaotic scenes at the time, ultimately no one was injured and the building sustained only minor damage.
And Finally
A number of Osaka’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains have been retired in recent years. Some expressed concerns about the waste of all the material that went into building these magnificent machines.
Well, thankfully, under a new scheme announced this week, these retired shinkansen trains, or rather small fragments of them, will see a new lease of life.
Under a newly patented process, JR Central has greatly increased the purity of aluminum reclaimed from discarded shinkansen parts.
This process, according to studies, produces 97% less carbon emissions than producing new material.
The reclaimed materials will go into producing products of all shapes and sizes, from the aforementioned baseball bats, right up to new train carriages!
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
