Leadership Change in Liberal Democratic Party’s Osaka Branch, Featuring Nobuyuki Baba of Japan Innovation Party

Tokyo Ishin no Kai insiders whisper,

“There were voices supporting Shun Onkita and Senator Hirofumi Yanagase (49) for the Tokyo governor election, but ultimately, no one was fielded. This was largely due to the devastating defeat in the 15th district by-election. Candidate Kanazawa’s campaign was frankly lacking, and there were discussions within Tokyo Ishin no Kai urging, ‘We need to get Kanazawa moving more,’ but organizationally, that didn’t happen. The shock of the defeat has had a significant impact on the governor election. Nevertheless, considering the need to increase visibility, we should have fielded a candidate. There’s dissatisfaction with Tokyo Ishin no Kai’s response, leading to a chaotic situation where individual lawmakers support candidates for the governor election.”

There’s actually movement to support candidate Shinji Ishimaru (41) at the ward and city council levels, prompting Tokyo Ishin no Kai to impose a ban on supporting other candidates. The Tokyo Ishin headquarters issued a directive under Shun Onkita’s name regarding their stance of observing quietly in the Tokyo governor election. With the party deciding not to support any candidate, allowing individuals to freely support and engage poses a challenge for organizational risk management. The party (Tokyo Ishin no Kai) institutionally decided to adopt a stance of observing quietly, where affiliated members and special party members do not support any candidate, reflecting a lack of internal governance that they themselves seem to be proclaiming.

Meanwhile, the repercussions are reaching Osaka, the heartland of the party. Members of Osaka Ishin no Kai reveal,

“Since reaching an agreement with the LDP on the amendment to the Political Funds Control Law, there have been frequent voices saying ‘I’m quitting the party’ and ‘I can’t support Ishin anymore.’ Branches are troubled to the extent that people are asking for signs and posters to be removed. We’re hearing angry voices like ‘When did we become the Osaka branch of the LDP!!’ We’re facing strong headwinds, likely affecting elections.”

For Ishin no Kai, grappling with numerous issues, it’s ironic to hear voices suggesting, “Rather than criticizing the CDPJ, we should first sort out internal control.”