On the night of Dec. 28, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in Tokyo with former Osaka City Mayor Toru Hashimoto, also former leader of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), for the first time in one year. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui, the leader of Nippon Ishin, were also present. Their year-end meeting took place for the third year in a row. The prime minister apparently hopes to have support from Nippon Ishin in debates on the issue of constitutional revision during next year’s ordinary Diet session. Besides the issue of constitutional revision, the four exchanged views on matters including Osaka’s bid for building a casino resort and hosting the World Expo 2025.