A “double election” that would determine Osaka’s IR fate is becoming ever more likely.
Osaka prefecture Governor Ichiro Matsui, representative of the Osaka Restoration Association local party, has declared that there will be a double election for the positions of Osaka prefecture’s governor and Osaka city’s mayor.
Governor Matsui has faced opposition from the Komeito party regarding his support for an “Osaka Metropolis” referendum that would in essence abolish Osaka city in its current state and reorganize the area. The Mainichi newspaper has reported that Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura, who is a member of the same party, may resign his office as early as 8 March – midway through his term – so that he and the governor can both run in a unified local election in April and effectively switch places.
“The only option is to listen to the people again,” said Governor Matsui. “The prefecture and city have acted as one so there will be no change whether I am governor or mayor.”
There is precedent for such a dramatic move with former Osaka Restoration Association representative, Toru Hashimoto, making the transition from governor to mayor in 2011.
Osaka prefecture/city has successfully attracted the 2025 World Expo, and it is expected that the current governor and mayor will be successful in a double election. No genuine opposing candidates are likely.
The deadline for deciding if it the double election does indeed go ahead is this Thursday 7 March. The decision will be made after assessing the Komeito party’s stance at the legal council meeting. There are many related parties and it will be a particularly important election for the fate of IR businesses.
The prefecture and the city have indeed acted as one entity regarding the initiative to attract an IR to Yumeshima in 2024. If elected, both will be appointed to four year terms. If that happens, the path to Osaka’s IR will be smooth sailing.
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