Rifts Deepen Behind Japan’s Vice-Capital Law Victory as Frustration Grows Over Yoshimura’s Runaway Leadership

The third attempt at the Osaka Metropolis plan, now under the banner of a “Secondary Capital”

Legislation concerning a secondary capital, intended to correct Tokyo’s excessive concentration of political and economic functions and provide backup economic and administrative functions in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake or terrorist attack in the Tokyo metropolitan area, was passed by the House of Councillors in July and enacted. The Secondary Capital Act has independent policy objectives, including correcting the overconcentration of functions in Tokyo and providing backup for the capital’s functions. For the Japan Innovation Party, however, this is not merely a matter of national policy, but also one element of a political strategy to advance its long-held goal of the “Osaka Metropolis Plan.”

“The third attempt at the Osaka Metropolis Plan could see a referendum held as early as next spring. Among citizens, there are voices of disbelief that they are going ahead with a third attempt despite the plan having already been rejected twice by a majority. So, in order to attract the attention of Osaka residents who have grown tired of the metropolis plan, Ishin has prepared a new package called the ‘secondary capital’ and is trying to give the issue a fresh appeal.” (A political reporter for a newspaper based in Osaka)

Recently, Ishin has also been trying to portray the process leading up to the law’s enactment as a heartwarming story through AI-generated animation and music. The strategy appears to be to present the secondary capital concept as the proper path. On August 12, Ishin co-leader Fumitake Fujita (45) posted a video on X titled “[Historic Moment] Official AI Song ‘The Secondary Capital Bill Has Passed—The Spirit of the Ishin Patriots of Today’ [Japan Innovation Party].”

The animation depicts members of Ishin dressed in “kamishimo” robes and carrying swords, portraying themselves as handsome young patriots who defeat sinister-looking corrupt officials representing opposition forces such as other opposition parties. It is only a 45-second animation and song, but watching it is embarrassing in itself. That is because it portrays politics as a cheap good-versus-evil drama. One can only marvel at the sheer nerve required to glorify themselves to this extent.

Even if Ishin’s public image can be beautified through animation, its internal affairs cannot. Voices of opposition are reportedly emerging from both Ishin’s national and local factions over what the article describes as leader Hirofumi Yoshimura’s reckless drive to force through a third referendum. Yoshimura is also the Osaka governor and leader of the Japan Innovation Party.

“There are some members of the Ishin municipal assembly caucus who have never particularly liked Yoshimura. Yoshimura was first elected in the April 2011 unified local elections and was one of the so-called ‘Hashimoto children,’ with many prefectural and municipal assembly members elected in the same cohort. Yoshimura rose the fastest among them, but there remains deep-seated resentment, mixed with jealousy, over his decision to force the double election this February. In particular, some members of the Ishin municipal caucus have long been strongly opposed to Yoshimura.” (A source within the Japan Innovation Party)

Yoshimura and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama both resigned in January this year in order to run in a snap double election, with the aim of holding a third referendum. Because parties other than Ishin declined to take them on and did not field candidates, both Yoshimura and Yokoyama were elected, making the referendum effectively a foregone conclusion.

However, the Ishin Osaka municipal caucus did not hide its displeasure, arguing that this does not mean they received a mandate from the public in the previous unified local elections. One municipal assembly member openly pushed back, saying, “Yoshimura is being far too heavy-handed.”

Even if Ishin’s public image can be beautified through animation, its internal affairs cannot. Voices of opposition are reportedly emerging from both Ishin’s national and local factions over what the article describes as leader Hirofumi Yoshimura’s reckless drive to force through a third referendum. Yoshimura is also the Osaka governor and leader of the Japan Innovation Party.

“There are some members of the Ishin municipal assembly caucus who have never particularly liked Yoshimura. Yoshimura was first elected in the April 2011 unified local elections and was one of the so-called ‘Hashimoto children,’ with many prefectural and municipal assembly members elected in the same cohort. Yoshimura rose the fastest among them, but there remains deep-seated resentment, mixed with jealousy, over his decision to force the double election this February. In particular, some members of the Ishin municipal caucus have long been strongly opposed to Yoshimura.” (A source within the Japan Innovation Party)

Yoshimura and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama both resigned in January this year in order to run in a snap double election, with the aim of holding a third referendum. Because parties other than Ishin declined to take them on and did not field candidates, both Yoshimura and Yokoyama were elected, making the referendum effectively a foregone conclusion.

However, the Ishin Osaka municipal caucus did not hide its displeasure, arguing that this does not mean they received a mandate from the public in the previous unified local elections. One municipal assembly member openly pushed back, saying, “Yoshimura is being far too heavy-handed.”

Ever founder Matsui is furious

The Japan Innovation Party, led by Hirofumi Yoshimura, is by no means completely united. In particular, former party leader Nobuyuki Baba (61) reportedly appears unhappy with Yoshimura’s solo run. On April 13, following the double election held in Osaka, Ishin held a closed-door meeting. According to reports, Baba criticized Yoshimura and others for holding the double election without consulting the party, as well as their handling of the Osaka Metropolis Plan, saying, “We are not Yoshimura’s servants.”

Some Ishin lawmakers have also pushed back, saying, “It’s unbelievable that Yoshimura, who knows nothing about national politics, is leading the party.” At the very least, it appears that Yoshimura’s unilateral approach is creating negative repercussions within the party.

Yoshimura has also been criticized by one of Ishin’s founders. Ichiro Matsui (62), former mayor of Osaka, is said to have expressed understanding toward the Ishin Osaka municipal assembly caucus, which opposes Yoshimura’s forceful push for the double election and a third referendum. On the evening of March 4, a dinner was held in Osaka where Matsui was surrounded by members of the Ishin municipal caucus, with more than 20 lawmakers attending.

At the gathering, Matsui reportedly appeared to agree with the municipal assembly members’ complaints and opposition toward Yoshimura. Elsewhere, Matsui appeared on Kansai TV’s “news Runner” on January 16 and, regarding Yoshimura’s push for the double election, bluntly said:

“If we continue with Yoshimura as he is now, we’ll end up like North Korea, China, or Russia.”

How, then, did Yoshimura take the criticism from one of the party’s founders?

“Perhaps Matsui and Yoshimura aren’t exactly on very good terms. Yoshimura doesn’t necessarily accept Matsui’s advice and suggestions straightforwardly, and at times he seems to resist them, giving one reason or another. Matsui is reportedly uncomfortable with that attitude, and it may be one of the factors driving a wedge between the two.” (A senior Osaka City official)

The other founder of Ishin, former Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto (57), was also known for imposing his own distinctive logic on politicians and the media, often coming up with elaborate arguments. However, when he recognized that he was wrong, he had the capacity to correct course. Matsui was the same. Yoshimura, by contrast, seems to have a strong personality and appears confident that his own ideas are correct and that he makes no mistakes. His “Isodine remark,” which caused a stir in August 2020, also appears to have exposed Yoshimura’s forceful personality and tendency to act unilaterally.

On the surface, the enactment of the Secondary Capital Act may be considered a political achievement. Correcting Tokyo’s excessive concentration and providing backup for the capital’s functions are necessary, which is precisely why multiple municipalities have put themselves forward as candidates. But while the process leading to the passage of the Secondary Capital bill and the Osaka Metropolis Plan can be glamorized through elaborate political staging, it appears impossible to beautify or conceal the turmoil within Ishin itself.