Osaka's governor wins reelection and pushes for a vote on merging city wards

Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura was reelected in a double election for the city and prefecture. Following his victory, he announced plans to hold a new referendum on merging Osaka's wards into a single metropolitan system, an idea that has been debated for years.

Yoshimura's party, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), decided he should continue as its leader. The party is now focused on trying to pass the metropolitan plan, which has been voted down by the public before.