On September 29, DPJ Election Campaign Committee Chair Sumio Mabuchi issued the following statement regarding the election of the DPJ-endorsed candidate Osami Takeyama in the Sakai City mayoral election.

Today, voting took place in the Sakai City mayoral election, and DPJ-endorsed candidate Osami Takeyama was re-elected. I would like to offer my sincere appreciation for the full support and assistance received from so many residents of Sakai City, as well as the encouragement received from people living in Osaka Prefecture as well as nationwide.

The main issue of this election regarded the pros and cons of implementing the Osaka Restoration Party’s proposal for the creation of an “Osaka Metropolitan Area”. However, there are concerns that this proposal tends to disregard the way in which the regional infrastructure has been built up over time, under the banner of “making administration more efficient”, and is thus divorced from the viewpoint of local residents.

As the leader of Sakai City’s administration, Takeyama has dispassionately scrutinized this proposal for an “Osaka Metropolitan Area”, and has shown his resolve to defend a true “regional sovereignty” under which regions decide their own affairs for themselves. The Democratic Party of Japan shares his resolve. We have given him our wholehearted support and have provided a focus for the feelings of local residents.

The Democratic Party of Japan will continue to liaise with local residents around the country, and unite our party in pursuit of the realization of regional sovereignty. We would like to call for the continued support and encouragement of the Japanese people.