The debate around the Osaka metropolitan plan is intensifying, with Matsui Ichiro, the former leader of the Osaka Restoration Association, expressing the need for caution as the party navigates internal dissent. During a dinner meeting attended by over 20 members of the city council, including younger members, Matsui acknowledged the council's hesitant stance towards resuming discussions on the plan, which aims for a third referendum on the metropolitan proposal set by Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. Matsui advocated for the necessity of taking action to align public expectations with the promises made regarding the plan's direction.

Governor Yoshimura intends to hold the third referendum by April next year, following the establishment of a statutory council necessary for creating a system proposal for the metropolitan governance structure. This establishment requires the approval of a proposal within both councils of the Osaka Prefecture and City, where the Restoration Association holds a majority. Despite the push from Yoshimura, the city council remains apprehensive, arguing that the metropolitan plan was not part of their election platform during the last city council elections, thus demanding a careful evaluation of the proposal's viability following dialogues with citizens across all 24 city wards.

The dynamics within the Osaka Restoration Association depict a significant rift, with the internal camaraderie fraying as Yoshimura's urgency clashes with the cautious approach favored by the city council members. With Matsui retaining influence within the party, his insights during the recent meeting highlight the strategic tensions between pursuing the metropolitan plan aggressively and addressing the concerns of local constituents—an indication of the delicate balance required as the party navigates these critical discussions in the lead-up to the anticipated election.