Rocked by virus rebound in Osaka, Suga forced to call tougher steps
Suga was initially reluctant to designate the coronavirus semi-emergency status to the prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi, according to people familiar with his thinking.
Osaka Ishin and Nippon Ishin must adapt or risk extinction
Despite polls showing Osaka Ishin remains popular that the anti-merger faction won by only 17,000 votes of over 1.37 million cast, the party and its movement are in deep trouble.
Osaka referendum defeat raises questions about future of city's politics
The focus for many in local political party Osaka Ishin no Kai is now on how — or even if — they can continue under a new generation of leadership.
Osaka voters say no to merger. Again.
The referendum defeat dealt a heavy blow to the Osaka Ishin no Kai local political group, with Mayor Ichiro Matsui vowing to retire at the end of his term.
Party officials take to streets to campaign ahead of Osaka referendum
The plan calls for reorganizing Osaka into four special wards with a high level of autonomy in order to eliminate overlapping administration.
Let the Suga-Nippon Ishin bromance begin
Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui and his supporters are breathing easy, knowing their favorite LDP politician is now the prime minister.
Nippon Ishin no Kai sees an ally in Suga in LDP leadership race
Close ties are likely to bode well for Osaka’s efforts to ensure central government financing in next year’s fiscal budget for the 2025 Expo.
Osaka referendum on metropolis plan set with assembly approval
The plan is aimed at achieving more effective governance through cost-cutting.
Osaka Prefectural Assembly readies Nov. 1 referendum on merger plan
If the municipal assembly endorses the plan Thursday, a vote on the flagship policy of regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai will go ahead.
Osaka's second merger push faces pitfalls from pandemic, Abe's poll woes
Osaka voters will once again face a referendum on merging the city’s 24 wards following a decision on a plan that would create four large, semiautonomous wards.
