OSAKA -- New Osaka Gov. Fusae Ota assumed her official duties Tuesday, renewing her determination to work with all prefectural officials, including its three current vice governors, to defuse Osaka's crisis. Ota arrived at the prefectural government building in Chuo Ward at 9:30 a.m. and was welcomed by about 500 prefectural officials, mostly men, at the entrance hall. While prefectural assembly members from most political parties also gathered near the door to welcome Ota, no Liberal Democratic Party assembly members -- who fielded a different candidate in the race -- came out to greet her. Ota appeared in a light-green suit, different from the orange ones she opted to wear during the election campaign, because "the election is over and a new day has started," she said. After taking over duties from Vice Gov. Yoshiki Kimura, who has been acting governor since "Knock" Yokoyama resigned in December, Ota called on the officials to renew their way of thinking and shed any anxiety. "Osaka's administrative and fiscal reforms so far have not been misguided and should be given certain credit. However, the prefecture's financial situation is worsening faster than the reforms are taking effect. "I think further steps are necessary, and I ask you to take them," she said in her address to the prefecture's civil servants. She also urged the officials to hone their sense of cost-effectiveness as though they were employees of a private company. "Citizens are the shareholders (in this government), and you are employees who are expected to achieve the best results at the least cost." To deal with a new society in the 21st century, officials must be able to see things from multiple points of view and not be fettered by traditional ways of thinking, Ota said. "We should always give thought to what society really needs and how we can bring it about," she said. "I want you to think together with me, and let's act together." Speaking to reporters, Ota said she intends to keep in office the prefecture's three incumbent vice governors, stressing the importance of continuity in the administration. As for her relations with the LDP assembly members, Ota said she will do her best to mend ties because a good relationship with them is necessary to execute her policies. When Ota visited the LDP assembly members' room in the prefectural government building later in the morning, only three of its 43 members greeted her. The LDP, the largest force in the 112-seat assembly, fielded their own candidate for the election despite the request of its Tokyo headquarters to back Ota.
