Photo/Illutration Opponents to the Osaka administrative reorganization proposal take to a waterway in Osaka on Oct. 18 ahead of a referendum. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Naniwa Ward and Konohana Ward, two of Osaka’s 24 wards, were named in reference to a “waka” poem from “Kokin Wakashu” (Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern), which was compiled during the early Heian Period (794-1185).

In a referendum on Nov. 1 to decide whether to reorganize the city into a metropolitan government like Tokyo, “yes” votes outnumbered “no” in Naniwa Ward, while the opposite was the case in Konohana Ward.

The proposal, which would also replace Osaka’s current wards with four special wards, was rejected by a slim margin of 17,000 votes. The names of the existing wards, each with its own history, will remain intact.

The referendum was the second in five years on the so-called Osaka-to koso (literally, Osaka metropolis concept), which was also dubbed “koso” (a dispute) for its divisive nature.

A similar administrative reorganization proposal emerged 88 years ago when Osaka was overtaken by the city of Tokyo in population and area.

The nation’s flourishing commercial center, which boasted the sixth-largest population in the world after Paris, was nicknamed “Dai-Osaka” (Big Osaka).

The proposal was floated to transform Osaka into a metropolis beyond the jurisdiction of the Osaka prefectural governor and rename the rest of the prefecture “Naniwa Prefecture.”

Local reactions were heated. Opponents said the project would pit the city against the prefecture, leading to “a frivolous rivalry and waste of money.” Supporters argued that Osaka’s 2.5 million citizens would not deserve to fall behind Tokyo.

But the central government remained cool. The concept fizzled out toward the end of World War II after Tokyo went ahead and became a metropolitan government.

Looking at the outcome of the referendum, I can appreciate the desire of Osaka citizens to revive their city as Tokyo’s equal in stature.

However, the votes were split over whether forming a metropolis was the only way to realize that goal.

It appears that people who were afraid to take the big gamble of abolishing Osaka city slightly outnumbered those who weren’t.

The excessive concentration of everything in Tokyo, from politics and economy to culture, cannot be considered healthy for how Japan stands as a nation.

To me, the unfulfilled dream of Osaka citizens to turn their city into a metropolis felt like a warning against Tokyo’s uncontrolled “bloating.”

By the early 22nd century, 88 years from now, I hope Dai-Osaka, Dai-Fukuoka and Dai-Nagoya will be robustly competing with each other.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 3

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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