As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was deciding to extend the national state of emergency until May 31, Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura announced a set of local, independent standards for reopening businesses before then — standards that were met last week.

Since the end of the Golden Week holidays, a stranger to Japan following current affairs could be forgiven for thinking Yoshimura and a few fellow governors like Hokkaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki ran the country, with how often they have they been in the news.

Amidst all of the buzz surrounding Yoshimura, however, it’s worth remembering there are several reasons, some unique to Osaka and the Kansai region, that account for his popularity.