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.
Referendum Set to Go Ahead For the Third Time
They say God loves a trier. If there’s one thing you certainly can’t accuse the Japan Innovation Party of it’s a lack of trying.
For the third time in just over a decade, The JIP will once again hold a referendum on their Osaka Metropolis plan. In a unanimous decision, entirety of the JIP’s blog in the Osaka City Assembly approved the move to make the next referendum happen.
The poll will now take place in early 2027, alongside the spring gubernatorial election. Whilst the JIP will, naturally, claim they have a mandate to hold this, the third plebiscite on the same issue. Osaka’s voting public twice rejected the proposed merging of Osaka City and Osaka Prefecture’s civil services to form “Osaka-To” (a metropolitan area that would rival Tokyo in size, and bureaucracy).
On both occasions, the “no” vote was narrow (less than 1% in 2015 and less than 17,000 votes in 2020). However, it should be pointed out that the November 2020 poll was ignored by large swathes of voters as this was at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic. Others also felt it was too soon, coming less than 5 years after the issue had already, apparently, been settled.
Referendum Protestors Ask “When Does No Mean No?”
Ahead of the confirmation of the JIP’s plan, a protest took place in Osaka City on May 17th.
Around 200 protestors took to the streets to demand that the referendum plan is abandoned. They want the JIP to “drop the vanity project” and get on with actually governing Osaka.
Public anger continues to grow at the seeming inability of the JIP to accept that the public do not want this change. Of course, referendums can, on occasion, come back around for a second or third go, especially if there is a significant change in the circumstances surrounding the question.
For example, The UK has seen a succession of failed Prime Ministers, growing inequality and the disastrous decision to leave the EU in the 12 years since Scotland voted against declaring independence in its own referendum. Whether you agree that Scotland should be independent or not, its hard to argue that the country hasn’t faced a series of huge, material changes since 2014.
In Osaka’s case though, putting it bluntly, that hasn’t happened. Japan has gone through a series of prime ministers since 2015, but they’ve all been from the same party. Additionally, Osaka’s own domestic political set up has remained, for the most part, without significant change.
The only major difference is that the JIP now find themselves as a junior coalition partner in the national government. Whilst their national influence has increased (from zero to “a little”) this does not reflect the current dynamics in Osaka. Afterall, it is Osaka alone that should be concerned about this issue, as it only affects the Prefecture and the city.
The party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the LDP, has historically opposed the Metropolis plan. They may adopt a neutral position on the next referendum, so as not to unsettle the waters of the current coalition. However it seems unlikely that someone as shrewd and image conscious as Takaichi would risk their personal popularity by openly backing the reforms proposed.
Maeda Stars as Celtic Leave it Late to Clinch Title
We spoke last week about the incredible showing from Osaka-born striker Daizen Maeda in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over rivals Rangers. The win ensured that Celtic and Hearts would head into the final week of the season as the only teams capable of claiming the Scottish Premiership Title.
Maeda, however, still had a hand to play. With Hearts needing only a draw to claim the title, Celtic looked flat and lacking a spark as their final game against their title rivals sat poised at 1-1. Maeda stepped up, as he has done so often this season, and found a way though.
2-1 to Celtic with 2 minutes to go, and the title was heading back to Glasgow. As Hearts got increasingly desperate, Celtic added a breakaway third goal, leaving the destiny of the title beyond any doubt.
Maeda also received the confirmation this week that he will be going back to the World Cup. Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu confirmed Maeda is part of the final squad for the tournament, which kicks off in North America next month.
And Finally
Osaka’s train enthusiasts said a final goodbye to a regional icon this week. The “Hello Kitty” Shinkansen, a train decked out in the colors of the famous mascot character, left Shin Osaka Station for the final time on May 18th.
The train is to be retired, and replaced with a more up to date model.
All good things must come to an end as they say. Fans are already speculating as to who the next Japanese characters to appear on a Shinkansen will be.
They may have to wait a while to find out though, with no announcement imminent.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
