Osaka mayor launches new party

TOKYO — The maverick mayor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto, launched his national party onto Japan’s political stage Wednesday, vowing to chart a new course for the country. Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Association) will field 350 candidates across Japan in general elections expected later this year, with the aim of seizing a majority of seats in the powerful lower house.
“Great battles will start from today. I would like to create Japan’s new course together,” Hashimoto told a ceremony in Osaka. — AFP