Much Ado about the Osaka Metropolitan Government Scheme 2010-18

Abstract

This article aims to analyse political turmoil in Osaka, triggered by the “Osaka Metropolitan Government Scheme (OMGS).” The then-Governor of Osaka, Mr. Toru Hashimoto, unveiled the OMGS, and formed the “Osaka Restoration Association” in 2010. Why did such a scheme emerge in Osaka, and not in other urban areas? How did the Osaka Restorationists pursue the scheme in spite of possible difficulties to be dealt with? This article stresses the socio-economic conditions under which the OMGS has emerged. It then explains the political battles between Osaka Restorationists and other national parties like the then-ruling Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party, and the New Komei Party. In conclusion, it can be said that the OMGS, based on the distinctive socio-economic context, has been traditionally pursued in Osaka. However, what kind of OMGS-related proposals will be formulated and whether such proposals will be passed by the prefectural and city assemblies depends on how credible the political threats made by Osaka Restorationists are against rival parties, particularly against the New Komei Party.