Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto set up a local party April 19 in a move apparently unrelated to the Upper House election this summer but which nevertheless sent ripples through the national political arena.

The party, named "the local party Osaka Ishin no Kai" and headed by the popular governor, is aimed at transforming the system of autonomy in Osaka Prefecture, and will likely incorporate about 30 assembly members from the cities of Osaka and Sakai and the prefecture, core members said.

The party plans to recruit candidates for the city and prefectural assembly elections in spring 2011, they said.

Some politicians in Tokyo's Nagata-cho political district are seeking to form an alliance with the new entity while others are worried over the impact it could have.

Kyodo News