When Japan’s then incoming leader Sanae Takaichi was scrambling in October for a new coalition partner so the Liberal Democratic Party could remain in power, she seemed open to requests put forth by the Japan Innovation Party in return for its support.
Advertisement
One of the key demands of the JIP was that Osaka should be officially elevated in status to the nation’s “second capital”, with additional infrastructure for the city to enable it to become the seat of government in the event of a natural disaster crippling Tokyo.
Hirofumi Yoshimura, governor of Osaka prefecture since 2019 and head of the JIP for nearly a year, emerged from a meeting with senior LDP leaders in October and declared that Takaichi had said she would be “willing to work” with him on the “second capital” plan.
While the two parties have begun discussions on the idea and there are vague suggestions on how to turn Osaka into Japan’s second capital, the JIP is doing all the running. And questions about the feasibility – and desirability – of the plan are quietly being asked.
With Takaichi cemented now as prime minister, analysts say she appears to have gone cool on the idea.
Advertisement
And that has left the JIP in a delicate position on whether it should stick with the alliance and hope the LDP would be aligned with the plan in future, or walk away from the ruling party if it is getting cold feet.