The discussion surrounding the Osaka metropolis proposal, led by Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura of the Japan Innovation Party, is currently facing significant obstacles as the establishment of a 'legislative council' designed to set the framework for the proposal has hit a standstill. On the 26th, the Osaka City Council members of the Ishin Party expressed their intention to take a cautious stance toward the establishment of this council. While Governor Yoshimura is aiming for a referendum on the metropolis plan by April next year, the delays in establishing the legislative body are throwing his timeline into disarray.

During a somewhat private meeting on the 26th, the Ishin City Council agreed on the need to create spaces for dialogue with citizens across all 24 districts of the city regarding the metropolis proposal. For the referendum to proceed, it is essential first to establish the legislative council and create a system proposal. This requires the approval of a proposal in both the prefectural and city councils, where the Ishin Party holds a majority. Yoshimura had planned to submit this proposal to the councils in early March, but discussions among party members are making this goal increasingly uncertain.

Concerns have also been raised about Yoshimura's recent comments regarding his aspirations for a role in national politics and the sudden need for re-elections, which have cast a shadow on his leadership within the Ishin Party. As the debate intensifies, the political environment in Osaka, the home base of the Ishin Party, is becoming increasingly turbulent. The scheduled space for citizen dialogue is expected to be set up around March to April, indicating that significant discussions are indeed needed before proceeding to the next stages of the metropolis proposal.