OSAKA — It's only been one month since Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto's landslide election victory Jan. 27. But for both his supporters and opponents, it feels a lot longer.

"Given that he's made media headlines almost every day, it's hard to believe the election was only a month ago," said Ayumi Sakashita, a 33-year-old office worker in Umeda who voted for him.

During his brief time in office, Hashimoto, 38, has proved to be a divisive figure.