Osaka, the epicenter of a political movement bent on change that has shaken the status quo, is home to another initiative to trumpet the unheard voices of women.

Since last fall, more than 1,000 middle-aged and older women, mainly from Osaka, have joined an online discussion group called All Japan Obachan Party.

"Obachan" is Japanese for a middle-aged or an elderly woman that invokes the image of an intrusive busybody.