Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Friday with Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto in what the latter two said was purely a discussion of the supplementary budget, economic issues, structural reforms, and the goal to make Tokyo and Osaka the twin engines of Japan's growth.

But because Hashimoto is the No. 2 head of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Matsui the No. 3, with ex-Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara at the helm, speculation is swirling that Abe may be seeking to get Nippon Ishin to join forces with his Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc before or after the July Upper House election. Thus Friday's meeting offered both sides a chance to build political capital with each other.

Abe is particularly close to Matsui, who suggested last year that he join Nippon Ishin and serve as its head. Abe refused, but the three remain close and share common views on the need to amend the Constitution, particularly the war-renouncing Article 9, to reform the educational system to instill in students a greater sense of patriotism and to place more focus on vocational education needs.