Japan Press Weekly

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2015 September 30 - October 6 [JCP]

JCP in Osaka will back an independent in city mayoral election

The Japanese Communist Party in Osaka will support 41-year-old Yanagimoto Akira, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party city assemblypersons’ group, who declared his candidacy as an independent to counter the “Osaka Ishin no Kai” candidate in the Osaka City mayoral election slated for November 22.

The Osaka Prefectural Committee of the JCP announced on October 5 that it will make all-out efforts to go beyond the boundaries of political parties to put an end to the present harmful government of Osaka led by the local party called “Osaka Ishin no Kai” and to restore local autonomy and democracy.

In the referendum in May regarding the creation of an “Osaka metropolis” to divide up the existing city, Yanagimoto played an active role in protecting the present structure of Osaka together with the JCP.

In contrast, former House of Representatives member Yoshimura Hirofumi, 40-year-old would-be successor to current Mayor Hashimoto Toru, publicly stated that he will again take up the Osaka metropolis plan as a major issue in the mayoral race although voters in May rejected the plan in the referendum.

The Osaka gubernatorial election will also take place on the same day as the contest for the mayor. Incumbent Matsui Ichiro, “Osaka Ishin no Kai” secretary-general, announced that he will seek reelection as Osaka governor and will also raise the issue of the Osaka metropolis plan in the campaign.

“Osaka Ishin no Kai” proposes abolishing the city and concentrating the city authority and funds in the hands of a “commander” of a “metropolitan Osaka”. For example, if two public facilities exist in the city - one run by the city and the other by the prefecture - such as universities and hospitals, one or the other of them would be shut down.

The JCP in Osaka calls for cooperation to oust the Ishin-led dictatorship and to bring back democracy and a decent local government to Osaka by putting aside differences in political affiliation.

Past related article:
> Osaka mayor’s plan to divide up city rejected in referendum [May 19, 2015]
> Widespread ‘No’ to dictatorial rule over Osaka prepares for future struggle: JCP [November 28 & 29, 2011]