Separation of Innovation Party

Not as violent as the largest mafia organization in Japan, the second largest opposite party, Innovation Party, is destined to be divided in two. An ultra-populist leader, Toru Hashimoto, the honorable President of the party, announced to establish new national party called Osaka Restoration Party. It will be highly unusual for a national party to name after a specific region like Osaka. Making few senses, irresponsible for his own words of retiring, and lying to ordinary citizens, Hashimoto keeps on deteriorating Japanese politics.

The internal opposition was ignited by selection of candidate for coming mayoral election in Yamagata City. While Innovation Party decided not to support any specific candidate, Secretary General, Mito Kakizawa, indicated to support a potential candidate, who would be running with support of Democratic Party of Japan and Japan Communist Party. Some lawmakers, mainly close allies of Hashimoto elected from Osaka region, booed to the behavior of Kakizawa.

Representing frustration of his colleagues, Hashimoto submitted a plan for settling internal dispute, which included no resignation of Secretary General, Hashimoto’s withdrawal from the party, and no separation of the party. But, incredibly enough, Hashimoto changed his mind the next day. He announced that he would establish new national party with his colleagues in Osaka, making separation of Innovation Party inevitable.

When he lost in referendum on Osaka Capital Initiative in May, Hashimoto declared that he would retire as a politician after his term of Osaka Governor would be expired in November. It makes apparent contradiction that retiring politician is going to establish new party. Leaving this fundamental question behind, his colleagues in Osaka expect Hashimoto to dismiss his promise of retirement. This political conflict has the same structure as opposition in Yamaguchi-gumi that reflects rivalry between the headquarters and Osaka group.

President of Innovation Party, Yorihisa Matsuno, is expecting restructuring of opposite parties to confront with great leading parties. Hashimoto has been a firm supporter for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ignoring his standpoint as an opposite leader. It must be natural that two different groups in Innovation Party are divorced.

However, Hashimoto is too irresponsible for his own words to maintain political confidence. If he continues his career as a politician after his resignation as Mayor of Osaka, disappointment on populism, as a collateral damage, will grow to the extent Japan has never experienced.