Mixed results for LDP; 'Osaka metropolis' advocates win gubernatorial, mayoral races

My disappointment with the turnout centres around the 'Osaka metropolis' proposal.

With such a transition, the costs could out weigh the benefits. I would have thought such change would have increased the turnout above 50%

Why are people celebrating this? This has Hashimoto all over it. These guys are rightwingers who want to crush anyone who doesn’t agree with them. Being “young” doesn’t make themany less evil than the old gits in power. Banning of tats, no dancing after certain hours, illegal surveys and attempts to fire people due to them. These guys are from Hashi’s “Japanese people need a dictator” loins. This is not good for the people of Osaka.

Turnout for 11 prefectures returned a depressing 47.72%.......

Following their defeat in Hokkaido, opposition party leaders say they will review their strategies before a series of elections to follow.

I think they should use louder speakers and start going around neighbourhoods at night screaming OYASUMMINASAAAAIIIII. people probably didn't hear them enough.

All I said is that the restoration party is not the savior of Japan, in particular when it comes to the the non-Japanese population. Be careful what you wish for. I prefer the national anthem to be optional, along with tattoos and dancing. Do what you want but don't demand obedience from others.

A great waste of money for nothing. I had one of the election cars stop outside my company and screech for nearly an hour. I couldn't work, so I walked out and watched a bit, then asked the nearest staff person when it would be over, since we could not you do our jobs or communicate until the loudspeaker shouting stopped. He seemed pretty sympathetic and just said it would be done soon, please cooperate, sumimasen, etc. So, I did. Was going to press them and ask about the decibel level law and why they were running for government but couldn't follow it, why it was okay to scream outside of peoples houses and business, but I knew it would fall on deaf ears. Elections are when these guys and the yakuza and ultra. right are the same.

Clearly people's opinions have changed, which also explains why the old establishment doesn't want to allow a second referendum, because they know what the results are going to be.

I think the people were always for it, just they didn't turn out to vote. The people worried about losing their free bus rides are the ones that voted.

@obladi

The "restoration party" are hard-core right wingers. Remember enforcing the singing of the national anthem, the banning of tattoos, and the banning of dancing in Osaka? That's them. Also, their president is likely tied up in this Moritomo Gakuen land deal. I'd like to see economic growth in Kansai too, but not at this price.

singing of the national anthem - Oh no, pretty scary there

banning of tattoos - Only effective measure to remove a group of people that were wasting all our tax money by sitting around and doing absolutely nothing.

banning of dancing in Osaka - A little over-dramatic there. Simply enforced a law established in 1948 to crack down on crime going on in some clubs that didn't meet size regulations to begin with.

It's disappointing we failed to have our candidate elected, and we apologize for not having been able to live up to your expectations Aso told supporters in Fukuoka.

how out of touch can you be? You lived up to your supporters' expectations the problem is more people out there disagree with you.

Went to the polling booth at 7:20pm. It was closed. Closing time is 8pm.

The "restoration party" are hard-core right wingers. Remember enforcing the singing of the national anthem, the banning of tattoos, and the banning of dancing in Osaka? That's them. Also, their president is likely tied up in this Moritomo Gakuen land deal. I'd like to see economic growth in Kansai too, but not at this price.

These two in Osaka did something I have never heard of being done in any election here before. Running for each other's positions, and winning.

I actually like the idea of Osaka becoming one, there needs to be a balance with Tokyo, and if Osaka can become an economical focal point as well, it will help the overall economy of the entire country!

Even if they want to change things, Osaka Ishin no Kai are not the saviors of Japan. And non-Japanese, in particular, should be wary.

I am SO happy both of them won. These two are the most badass politicians Japan has had since Koizumi. Literally the entire establishment statusquo old dinosaurs were against them, and yet they won. Their campaign was perfect. Also, this article forgot to mention that there was a survey yesterday and 59% of the people in Osaka said they were in favor of the Metropolitan plan. Clearly people's opinions have changed, which also explains why the old establishment doesn't want to allow a second referendum, because they know what the results are going to be. After this victory, i am now more optimistic about the future of Osaka and the realization of the metropolitan plan. If Osaka manages to implement this, this could spread to other cities who might also want to get rid of their double-layer of administration. Once again Osaka leads the way.

Nothing will change (improve?)...well maybe it will, the newly elected wallets will get fatter.

"Our victory in Hokkaido was big," LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai told reporters, referring to the only race among Sunday's 11 gubernatorial elections that pitted a candidate backed by the ruling bloc of the LDP and Komeito against a unified candidate for opposition parties.

One election, won by a party that has basically been in control for 6 decades, has a 2/3rds majority in the Diet and calling this one victory "big"?

Maybe the LDP really is "worried", but I doubt it!