Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui said Monday he is considering holding a referendum next November on whether to restructure the city into a metropolis like Tokyo, in order to seek more effective governance.
A specific date will be determined after consultation with the local chapter of Komeito, which is considering supporting the "Osaka metropolis" plan, a political group promoting the plan said.
"Everyone is busy in December. I want to schedule it when it's easier to vote," said Matsui, a former Osaka governor who heads Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka).