橋下　徹　大阪府知事　2011.1.25

Toru HASHIMOTO, Governor, Osaka Prefecture Osaka Prefecture Governor Toru Hashimoto held a press conference, discussing the Osaka Metropolitan Area plan and answering questions. ≪"Come to Osaka. There are two of the same gymnasiums, hospitals, and buildings of the same height. It's all a waste!"≫ Governor Hashimoto began by saying, "You might not feel the problem if you're in Tokyo, but only in Japan is no one discussing the ideal form of cities. London, Seoul, Shanghai—everywhere has a metropolitan strategy." He stated that Osaka City, a designated city, is like having another prefecture within the prefecture, and explained that the Osaka Metropolitan Area plan is "a challenge to the ideal form of a designated city." He listed the drawbacks of the dual administration of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, citing two large universities (prefectural and municipal) and two buildings of the same height competing with each other. He stated that the Osaka Municipal Subway "only operates within Osaka City, with termini in inexplicable locations. This will not lead to the overall development of Osaka," criticizing Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu for trying to handle both regional administration and public services. He outlined a plan to create special wards within Osaka City, electing ward mayors and granting them budgetary authority, giving them powers and financial resources comparable to core cities. When asked if he would run for mayor of Osaka, he replied, "I can't say anything until the time comes. However, no matter how much I explain to Mayor Hiramatsu, things won't progress. Deciding by election is the royal road to democracy." He added, "It won't progress unless the governor and mayor share the same vision. The Osaka Restoration Association must pursue both to make the Osaka Metropolitan Area plan possible." He also explained that the Osaka Metropolitan Area plan is "not something the governor is doing as part of his administrative duties. If the governor uses his authority over Osaka City to do this, it's unacceptable. The Osaka Restoration Association is a political movement funded by its members' personal money." "If a Kansai region is created under the regional autonomy system, Osaka Metropolis will disappear. However, if we can't even create an Osaka Metropolis, then a regional autonomy system is impossible," he said emphatically. "Strengthening cities is a national strategy, and it's really the Prime Minister's vision that should be presented." Moderator: Keiko Kawato (TBS Television), Planning Committee Member, Japan National Press Club Handouts Comparison Chart of Power Allocation under Three Systems (Flip 1) http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/0... Outstanding Local Government Bonds per Citizen (Flip 2) http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/1... Osaka Restoration Association Manifesto http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/a... 11abcc.pdf Results of the survey of the mayors of Tokyo's 23 wards http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/f... Hashimoto's prepared resume http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/4... Osaka's "Decentralization Reform" Vision http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/1... Regarding the transfer of powers to the same level as special cities ① h http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/7... ② http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/b... ③ http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/f... Route to Kansai State http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/f... 5.pdf Hashimoto's Administration: Three Years of "Transformation and Challenge" http://www.jnpc.or.jp/files/2011/01/0... Osaka Restoration Association Homepage http://oneosaka.jp/ Hashimoto Toru Supporters' Association Homepage http://www.hashimoto-toru.com/ Osaka Prefecture Homepage http://www.pref.osaka.jp/ Japan National Press Club Page http://www.jnpc.or.jp/activities/news...