Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) has sounded out former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the local political group, founded by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, continues to seek allies and supporters to form a national party.
Abe said Wednesday that although Hashimoto and Osaka Ishin no Kai have the power to change Japan, he was not considering formally cooperating in their efforts to field candidates in the next Lower House election.
"I want to think about utilizing the power of Hashimoto and Osaka Ishin no Kai to revise the Constitution and the education system, and we've been having discussions on these topics," Abe said.