How will the change in the framework of the administration contribute to the future of the region? As long as residents are being asked to make a weighty choice, it is essential to provide detailed explanations.
A joint law-based council of the city of Osaka and Osaka Prefecture has discussed the Osaka metropolis plan to disband the city and reorganize it into special wards, and decided on an outline of the systemic proposal for the plan.
The outline provides an overview of four special wards, among other items, creating a foundation for the system that is to be put to a referendum this autumn. If approved by majority vote, the city of Osaka will be reorganized into special wards in January 2025.
A metropolis plan advocated by regional political party Osaka Ishin no Kai was rejected in a 2015 referendum. However, Osaka Ishin won the twin mayoral and gubernatorial election last spring, paving the way for a fresh attempt.
According to the systemic proposal, the prefectural government will be tasked with wide-area policy measures such as urban development and industrial promotion. The special wards will have elected mayors and assembly members, and be tasked with administrative services closely connected to residents, such as over-the-counter services and child-rearing support.
The proposal aims to make administrative operations more efficient and improve administrative services by clarifying the division of roles. The city and the prefecture estimate that a maximum of 1.1 trillion yen in spending cuts can be expected over 10 years.
The current 24 ward offices will remain, so as not to undermine the convenience of residents. The proposal includes a policy to set up child consultation centers in each special ward.
It is regrettable that only the merits of the plan have been emphasized and points of doubt have not been fully discussed.
Some have objected to the method used to estimate the effects of spending cuts, and many say the effects will be limited.
Since 2011, as leaders of Osaka Ishin have served as the mayor of Osaka and the governor of Osaka Prefecture, it is true that administrative operations became more efficient to some extent, such as the unification of a city research institute and a gubernatorial research institute.
Making the metropolis plan a reality will cost tens of billions of yen to refurbish computer systems and renovate some local government buildings. An accurate analysis is needed on whether an effective outcome commensurate to the huge cost can be expected.
Under the systemic proposal, about 200 billion yen out of the about 860 billion yen in Osaka city's fiscal resources will be distributed to Osaka Prefecture and about 660 billion yen to the four special wards. In the 10 years after the establishment of the special wards, an additional total of 2 billion yen a year will also be provided to the special wards.
How the budgets are used will be determined by special ward governments and ward assemblies. Some Osaka residents have voiced concern about whether the current level of administrative services will be maintained.
Many residents have an attachment to the city of Osaka, which was established as a municipality in the Meiji era (1868-1912).
The Osaka prefectural and municipal governments will hold public hearings this spring. Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui, who leads Osaka Ishin, said the public hearings are occasions to provide explanations on the systemic design, and opinions will basically not be accepted. This is a questionable approach. Osaka Ishin must be ready to face the questions and anxiety of residents.
-- This article appeared in the print version of The Yomiuri Shimbun on Jan. 5, 2020.
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