Just over a month after local elections in which Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) surprised even itself with resounding victories, the established parties' local chapters appear to be on the ropes.
Earlier this month, Komeito, which had long partnered with Osaka Ishin to form a majority in the municipal and prefectural assemblies but was staunchly opposed to Osaka Ishin's efforts to merge the city's wards, abruptly flip-flopped. Komeito agreed to a referendum on the issue, and said it would work in a "positive manner" to help Osaka Ishin create a merger plan.
Immediately afterward, the Liberal Democratic Party's Osaka chapter, which also opposed the merger plan, declared that, following the drubbing by Osaka Ishin at the polls in April, it had seen the light and would agree to a referendum on the issue.