Osaka Ishin no Kai, the nation's only Osaka-based national political party, changed its name Tuesday to Nippon Ishin no Kai in an attempt to increase its appeal in other parts of Japan, especially Tokyo.
With the name change, attention now turns to whether the third-largest opposition party can revive its political ambitions outside the Osaka region for the next Lower House election.
There is also the question of whether a name change will draw the party closer to new Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, who is pushing for the kinds of cost cuts Osaka Ishin officials advocated, and implemented, in Osaka.