What do you think about Osaka Gov Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura resigning to run for each other's positions in the April 7 gubernatorial, mayoral and assembly elections, in a bid to form "Osaka metropolis?"

I think it's a good move, maintaining the policy continuity of government officials. If it is going to help the government become more efficient and maintain policy continuity, then why not

Doesn't matter what I think, same as it doesn't matter what the people who can vote think, because this idea has been shot down twice already, with Hashimoto being forced to resign, but these guys will do it anyway again and again and say when they win that they have been mandated to it. Literally, they could get one vote and they would say the people have spoken (and of course they'll convince the people later), and they will just do it anyway. Meanwhile, they've spent MILLIONS on this already and even more now.

I know a few old codgers here in my small town that are for this, but have zero idea of what it means. It is all just pride for the Osakaans who vote for it; the idea that they are "just as good as Tokyo", when they have no need, and should have no desire, to even be compared (because they are better). When I explained to said local what it would take away from our city to be controlled by the bureaucrats in the newly formed Osaka-to, which would be supported by large corporations, they were shocked.

Toshihiro: "I think it's a good move, maintaining the policy continuity of government officials. If it is going to help the government become more efficient and maintain policy continuity, then why not"

Love how naive you are, my friend. What do you define as efficient? When the mayor and governor can resign and switch positions entirely based on legislation they want, are they the most suited for their posts and not interchangeable, and therefore efficient? If anything, by doing what they did to call this election they have proven just how unnecessary they are.