Osaka Governor, Mayor to Step Down for Fresh Elections

Osaka, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama plan to step down and run in subsequent elections, in a bid to push again for the so-called Osaka metropolis plan for local government realignment, it was learned Tuesday. The possible gubernatorial and mayoral elections in the western Japan prefecture and its capital city, respectively, are expected to be held on the same day as a possible general election for the House of Representatives. When asked by reporters on Tuesday about his possible resignation, Yoshimura said that he will “consider various possibilities and options.” “If we are to try again to realize the Osaka metropolis plan, a democratic process would be necessary,” Yoshimura added. Yokoyama separately told reporters that nothing has been decided, but added that “a double (election for governor and mayor) is the biggest option on the table.” After the metropolis plan was rejected in the 2015 and 2020 referendums, Yoshimura said that he would not try again while in office. However, he has recently mentioned the possibility of advancing the plan through a secondary capital initiative agreed on between his Japan Innovation Party and its larger coalition partner, the Liberal Democratic Party. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]