Osaka City Faces Third Abolition Vote Amid Opposition and New Ward Proposals

The Osaka Restoration Party is pushing for a third referendum on abolishing Osaka City and establishing special wards, tying the measure to a proposed “secondary capital” law. This follows two earlier referendums in 2015 and 2020 in which Osaka residents rejected the plan. The Osaka Prefecture Medical Association issued a statement condemning the move, calling it a disregard for citizens’ wishes and a constitutional breach, and urging focus on cost‑of‑living measures instead.

Ahead of a legal council meeting on 31 July, the party has narrowed its ward‑division proposals to three options: a four‑ward model, an eight‑ward model, and a plan to retain the current 24 wards as special districts. Detailed district groupings for each option were disclosed, and the party will also discuss the division of administrative tasks between the prefecture and the new wards.