Nippon Ishin no Kai, the political party with Osaka roots, will establish a political school in Tokyo on Dec. 18 with an eye toward training candidates for next summer's Tokyo metropolitan assembly election.
"Those aiming to run in the assembly election only have about six months to prepare. During that time, we'll get down to business and boost their careers," said Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, the party's leader, in comments earlier this week explaining the reason for starting the school.
A stronger presence of the party in the Tokyo assembly, Matsui hopes, would lead to the strengthening of cooperation between Nippon Ishin members in Tokyo and Osaka and local policies in both areas that would encourage greater economic equality between the two traditional rivals.