Japan Press Weekly

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2015 March 4 - 10 [POLITICS]

Osaka Mayor Hashimoto busy covering up Osaka ‘metropolis’ plan

Osaka City Mayor Hashimoto Toru, who is also the top advisor to the Japan Innovation Party, has been busy trying to keep details of his Osaka “metropolis” plan from the general public with a city referendum (May 17) on the plan approaching.

Hashimoto on March 5 admitted to the fact that his party had sent each local TV network a letter objecting to the appearance of a commentator on televised news programs, Kyoto University Professor Fujii Satoshi who is a special advisor to the Cabinet. He has been opposed to Hashimoto’s metropolitan Osaka scheme. Criticized by reporters as putting pressure on them to modify media coverage, Hashimoto said with irritation, “It wasn’t pressure at all, but the broadcaster should have been more careful (about allowing the appearance of politically critical figures on programs).”

The city government in its information bulletin has made public discussions and opinions of each political party about the Osaka metropolis plan three times before. However, the city now refrains from publishing the bulletin because the Japan Innovation Party frowns on the release of discussions among political parties. The media reported that the metropolis plan “would not be widely known to the public” (Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4). Opposition parties criticized the Innovation Party for suppressing the freedom of speech. In reaction to these criticisms, Hashimoto made a comment about the bulletin, saying, “It carries lots of opposing views on my plan.”

He often presses young reporters “to bring old writers into question” who write editorials critical of Hashimoto. On Twitter as well, he is abusive to scholars who disagree with his plan. He ordered Osaka municipal workers to not express their opinions on the plan.

It appears as if his plan includes something he wants to conceal because he suppresses the freedom of speech. His administrative reform plan would probably have no redeeming features for the citizens.

Past related articles:
> JCP Osaka seeks to build civil cooperation to break through Hashimoto’s policies [February 15, 2014]
> JCP protests against mayoral election in Osaka [February 2-4, 2014]