If Hashimoto quits politics, Abe will lose powerful ally

Hashimotos almost 50% result was a wake up call for all Osaka political parties. They have no innovative plan for Osaka, which, must become the second capital of Japan if it wants to survive. I don't like his past, a lawyer who possibly protected Osaka brothels and received 'gifts', and said that mass rape is OK in wartime. Also, having a yakuza past, promoting casinos seems a bit suspicious. Go Osaka. Grow. Osaka/Tokyo Olympics 2020!!!

Here is hoping that he will quit. One more corrupt politician out.

I'm not a huge fan of Hashimoto (though I definitely like some things about him), but I've never seen anything to indicate he is corrupt. What have you seen?

Here is hoping that he will quit. One more corrupt politician out.

Hashimoto could not get people in Osaka to agree to his plan. He is not powerful.

If Hashimoto quits politics, Abe will lose powerful ally.

Japanese politics=bora, bora, bora. No wonder nobody (japanese voters) showed up for tha last snap-up elections last Dec.

Hashimoto and Ishihara together used to irritate Abe and LDP constantly. Suddenly they are called bedfellow. This rumor will ensure Diet fail to pass Constitution change agenda.

Toru Hashimoto is the missing link between egocentrism, absolutism, and narcissism. The parallelisms to Shakespeare’s tragic 'heroes' are uncanny, insanity faked or natural, is a testament to Hashimoto emotions. “My life as a politician is over,”.........This man is not going to go quietly........

Yoshimi OnishiMay. 19, 2015 - 01:30PM JST

Why doesn't he quit now? Why does he have to wait until December?

Because an election costs the city government a lot of money, if he resigns now, people start calling him waste of tax money.

">Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said late on Sunday that he would leave politics when his term as mayor expires in December."

Why doesn't he quit now? Why does he have to wait until December? He must have a very good reason for staying on. It could be because he needs time to analyze how the public and his party will react to his announcement, and if everything goes well for him, he will perhaps make some plausible excuse for running in a national election. This time around it's possible that he might run not on his party's ticket but on the LDP's ticket, if Abe is still in office then.

I just hope I will be proved wrong.

If Hashimoto quits politics, Abe will lose powerful ally

Good

This is another reason why Hashimoto will be back, in one form or another. Abe and the wingers will push him, and some Osaka people who really don't know what they want or need will shout "Ganbare!!" just because he is from Osaka, and he'll say he is "listening to the people and their needs" and come back in full right-wing mode, probably with yet another plan to make Osaka a metropolis.

He'll be back.

Abe' bedfellow.

If Hashimoto quits politics, Abe will lose powerful ally

Linda Sieg, stop it.

Hashimoto lost the referendum because LDP, presided by Abe, opposed his proposal. Abe politically killed Hashimoto. Abe is not Hashimoto's ally, but is his enemy.

Get Abe out and stop the funneling of money to his friends.

Abe should give him the propaganda minister.

It's just a ploy to get more attention!

Hashimoto has too much pride and a big ego to leave politics this way!

He'll be recycle himself.....

He sounds like the last crybaby politician!!

And just what is wrong with that? And, as to him leaving politics, I'll believe it when I see it.

"Fingers crossed..."

The guy has a huge ego and I wouldn't be surprised to see him play a role behind the scenes as a political puppet master.

If Hashimoto quits politics, Abe will lose powerful ally

Fingers crossed...

Maybe a bit frustrated at the result, but me too would not want him to be out of politics too.