Japan Restoration Association's Difficulties of Growth. The Reasons for the Osaka Opposition Inability to Replicate the Regional Success at the National Level

Japan Restoration Association (JRA), a regional party from Osaka, has achieved a dominant position in the region over the past 15 years, regularly defeating both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and national opposition parties in local elections. Nationally, JRA became the second-largest opposition party in the Diet and aimed to become the main opposition force after the 2024 elections. However, despite the LDP’s serious defeat and gains by other opposition parties, JRA lost seats and failed to capitalize on the ruling coalition’s setback. This article explores the development of JRA as a regional party, identifies factors behind its popularity in Osaka, and analyzes its experience in national elections. We studied JRA’s political program and conducted a statistical analysis of its local electoral participation. Our research shows JRA’s success in Osaka stemmed from a clear political program, charismatic leaders, effective generational transitions, and strategic alliances. Nationally, however, its program was less distinctive, and it faced competition from other right-wing conservative forces. JRA leaders did not run in national elections and had little influence on results through personal image. The party also declined to join broad opposition coalitions. Thus, the factors behind JRA’s regional success did not translate to the national stage, preventing the Osaka-based party from significantly improving its election outcomes or becoming Japan’s main opposition force.

Japan Restoration Association regional party, Osaka regional elections, Toru Hashimoto, House of Representatives elections, Komeito, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan