politics

Central gov't to keep eye on Hashimoto's reforms for Osaka

18 Comments

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Monday that the central government will keenly watch to see how newly elected Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto goes about implementing administrative reforms.

Hashimoto, 42, defeated incumbent Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu, 63, on a platform of promising to consolidate the administrative frameworks of the city and the prefecture to create a new Osaka to compete with Tokyo and other major cities around the world. Ichiro Matsui, 47, an ally of Hashimoto, won the gubernatorial election.

Fujimura told a news conference that both victories were a sign that voters wanted change, NHK reported. He said that the central government is willing to discuss with Hashimoto how he intends to make Osaka into a metropolis with similar administrative functions as Tokyo.

Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara told reporters that Hashimoto needs to streamline the bureaucracy. He added that if Osaka doesn't prosper, it will negatively affect Tokyo and the country will sink, NHK reported.

Hashimoto indicated Monday that if the central government and major political parties don't back his plan to unify the dual administrative functions of Osaka -- which requires a revision to the Local Autonomy Law -- his party may field candidates in the next lower house election.

Hashimoto is backed by his regional Osaka Ishin No Kai (Restoration Group), which has a majority in the Osaka prefectural assembly and Osaka municipal assembly.

Meanwhile, ruling Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said that although Hashimoto's victory reflects voters' discontent with existing political parties, he did not think it would have an impact on national politics, NHK reported.

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18 Comments
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Hashimoto has been sounding very autocratic recently. I think his true colors veer toward dictatorship.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Brainiac : "I think his...." if so, that will match will Central Govt and both will get along very well :)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Brainiac, in a matter of speaking, I agree, however Osaka and the rest of the country as well, NEED someone like him pushing through agendas that cut out government waste. He only comes across as a dictator because as I see it he is the only one actually pushing through what he believes will help revitalize Osaka.

He took a calculated chance by running for Mayor and now I think, since he does have the backing of both the City assembly and Fu Gov and Assembly, we should all watch and see how things go.

I don't see either what he is doing wrong.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Young blood in there. Whenever there is a new alpha male the older males watch closely to see who he will contest first. He's going to stake his territory. That's to be expected. If he's smart he won't stake those long in the tooth vampires too deeply. Just make it look good.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No matter what is does, he still needs to be a part of that good 'ole OB-kai...good luck to him...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Osaka will do well as just one city, this is a good idea. Too much government can be harmful to the economy. their is really no point to have 2 governments for one job.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Keep on eye on..." "...keenly watch..." -- Does this mean Nagatacho/Kasumigaseki are waiting to pounce on any mistake he makes? Or does it mean they are watching to possibly learn something?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To the Japanese government all I can say is , watch,listen and learn. "Fujimura told a news conference that both victories were a sign that voters wanted change, " at least he got that right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wouldn't it be surprising to see a scandal appear around now? Now that he has won the mandate fairly, and has idnetified the need for change, those resistant to change will be working overtime to find some dirt that forces a resignation. One to watch, and hope I'm wrong.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Him and Ishihara, a true right leaning team indeed. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Wouldn't want to be a teacher under him.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"He said that the central government is willing to discuss with Hashimoto how he intends to make Osaka into a metropolis with similar administrative functions as Tokyo."

Meaning they are afraid, and going to try and reign him in. There are some things I don't like about Hashimoto's platform, and in a number of way's he's out of touch with the public, but I agree that Japan NEEDS change, and needs it now, and I hope he can bring it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Meanwhile, ruling Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said that although Hashimoto’s victory reflects voters’ discontent with existing political parties, he did not think it would have an impact on national politics

Reflects voters discontent, but that has NO IMPACT.??? Nice to know votes wishes are considered.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Politics...... hahahaha keeping an eye.... For what? The new elected mayor is trying his best and here is the central govenment with an eagles' eyes looking for any mistakes for the new mayor to change and reform osaka. IMHO Politics is really the cancer of the society.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

IMHO Politics is really the cancer of the society.

If politics is a cancer, then what is the system that is in place in North Korea? AIDS?

I say good luck to the new guy in Osaka. But don't listen to the Tokyo Village Idiot (Ishihara) for advice.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hope he won't change my beloved Shinsekai into a hypermodern sci-fi area!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Clearly some people have forgotten the last guy to be like that was Koizumi and look how popular he was.

Do you not know what Koizumi did to the workers? You can blame the large number of fleeters and contract workers on him. He had the charm indeed but was a snake that ruined Japan for the working and middle class. Hashimoto will be no different. Right wing nut who is already trying to change rules to get what he wants.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Keep on eye on..." "...keenly watch..." -- Does this mean Nagatacho/Kasumigaseki are waiting to pounce on any mistake he makes? Or does it mean they are watching to possibly learn something?

Godan, I sincerely hope it's the latter, but I think everyone knows that it's probably the former. The central government in Tokyo thinks that all the prefectural and municipal governments down to the chonaikai exist at their sufferance, and I can easily see them dredging up some bogus problems with which to ruin Hashimoto if he tries to get too big for his britches.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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