November 17, 2011
The Osaka Federation of Trade Unions (Osaka Roren) with 6 other local labor organizations and trade unions on November 16 published a joint appeal opposing authoritarian rule aimed at by ex-Osaka Governor Hashimoto Toru.
The appeal calls on Osaka workers and trade union members to say “No” to dictatorial rule by “the Osaka Ishin-no-Kai” led by Hashimoto, in Osaka gubernatorial and Osaka City mayoral elections to be hled on November 27.
At a news conference held in the Osaka prefectural government office, Osaka Roren Secretary General Miyatake Masatsugu reported that they also unofficially call on Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo)-Osaka to engage in joint efforts.
Miyatake read out a comment sent from Rengo-Osaka Secretary General Taga Masahiko: Rengo-Osaka has been anti-dictatorship since it decided to support the incumbent mayor. We are of the same mind in calling for actions rejecting moves toward dictatorship in the coming political battle.
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In the Osaka prefectural governor’s election, Umeda Shoji of the “Association for a Democratic Prefectural administration,” of which the Japanese Communist Party is a member, is running against ex-Ikeda City Mayor Kurata Kaoru and “Osaka Ishin-no-Kai” General Secretary Matsui Ichiro.
The Osaka City mayoral election will be a one-on-one battle between Hashimoto and incumbent mayor Hiramatsu Kunio.
Hashimoto’s ambition was to put his follower Matsui in the post of Oska prefectural governor, with himself becoming Osaka City mayor to integrate his policies for economic growth, industrial development, and tourism promotion which will affect all of Osaka Prefecture.
Hashimoto has a plan to turn Osaka into an international city centered on entertainment. He says, “I’m for casinos in Osaka, while mayor Hiramatsu is against. It is not clear whether Osaka is for or against casinos.” He says if he becomes the mayor and his puppet becomes the governor, “a snap decision will become possible.”
The appeal calls on Osaka workers and trade union members to say “No” to dictatorial rule by “the Osaka Ishin-no-Kai” led by Hashimoto, in Osaka gubernatorial and Osaka City mayoral elections to be hled on November 27.
At a news conference held in the Osaka prefectural government office, Osaka Roren Secretary General Miyatake Masatsugu reported that they also unofficially call on Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo)-Osaka to engage in joint efforts.
Miyatake read out a comment sent from Rengo-Osaka Secretary General Taga Masahiko: Rengo-Osaka has been anti-dictatorship since it decided to support the incumbent mayor. We are of the same mind in calling for actions rejecting moves toward dictatorship in the coming political battle.
* * *
In the Osaka prefectural governor’s election, Umeda Shoji of the “Association for a Democratic Prefectural administration,” of which the Japanese Communist Party is a member, is running against ex-Ikeda City Mayor Kurata Kaoru and “Osaka Ishin-no-Kai” General Secretary Matsui Ichiro.
The Osaka City mayoral election will be a one-on-one battle between Hashimoto and incumbent mayor Hiramatsu Kunio.
Hashimoto’s ambition was to put his follower Matsui in the post of Oska prefectural governor, with himself becoming Osaka City mayor to integrate his policies for economic growth, industrial development, and tourism promotion which will affect all of Osaka Prefecture.
Hashimoto has a plan to turn Osaka into an international city centered on entertainment. He says, “I’m for casinos in Osaka, while mayor Hiramatsu is against. It is not clear whether Osaka is for or against casinos.” He says if he becomes the mayor and his puppet becomes the governor, “a snap decision will become possible.”
