"Osaka Metropolis Plan" referendum begins November 1, 7:01
The referendum on the pros and cons of the so-called "Osaka Metropolis Plan," which abolishes Osaka City and reorganizes it into four special wards, has reached the election day, and voting began at 7:00 am.
Five years later, the so-called "Osaka Metropolis Plan" abolished the ordinance-designated city of Osaka on January 1, 2007, and "Yodogawa Ward," "Kita Ward," and "Chuo Ward," as in the 23 wards of Tokyo. The plan is to reorganize into four special wards of "Tennoji Ward".
A referendum to question the pros and cons of this was started at 365 polling stations in the city from 7:00 am on the 1st, targeting more than 2.2 million voters in Osaka City.
The result of the vote is legally binding, and regardless of the turnout, if there is a large number of votes, the city of Osaka will be abolished and a special ward will be established.
If there is a large number of oppositions or the same number as for, Osaka City will survive.
Among the major political parties of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly and the Osaka City Council, the Osaka Restoration Association and the Komeito Party, which are in favor of it, have argued that "Osaka City should be abolished and the dual administration of the prefecture and the city should be eliminated."
On the other hand, the opposition Liberal Democratic Party and the Communist Party insist that "the abolition of Osaka City will lead to a decline in Osaka's urban power and resident services."
Since there is a campaign to call for "agreement" and "disagreement" on Election Day, it is expected that both pros and cons will continue until 8 o'clock tonight when the voting is closed.