The Japan Innovation Party advocates decentralization,[18] federalism (Dōshūsei),[citation needed] free education,[21] and limited government policies.
[20] The party represents a form of right-wing populism that opposes the LDP's entrenched control over Japanese politics and bureaucracy, known as the 1955 system.
The next day, Hashimoto announced his intention to form a new party, which was supported by House of Councillors member Toranosuke Katayama and other Osaka lawmakers.
By October, these negotiations had failed, leading to the expulsion of Diet members and local councillors anticipated to join Hashimoto's new party by the Ishin leadership.
However, Osaka-based Diet members contested the expulsions, claiming they were invalid post-October 1 due to the absence of a representative or executive board within the Restoration Party, and subsequently filed an appeal.
[29] Hashimoto assumed the role of representative, Matsui was named secretary-general, and 19 Diet members, primarily of Osaka origin and previously ousted from the Restoration Party, joined the formation.
[36] On July 12, following the House of Councillors election, Matsui announced plans to rename the party, a decision long under consideration.
[38] The renaming aimed to broaden the party's appeal nationwide, especially after mixed results in the election, with wins in the Osaka-Hyogo constituency but losses elsewhere.
[40] On August 23, at a meeting in Osaka City, the party's leadership and an extraordinary convention ratified the name change to "Nippon Ishin no Kai," with Matsui remaining as leader.
[46] On June 22, Vice President Kimi Watanabe expressed support for the Tokyo Citizens First Association and tendered his resignation.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced a strategic partnership between this new party and her own for the 48th House of Representatives general election scheduled for October 22 of that year.
[63] After the passing of House of Representatives member Tomokatsu Kitagawa from the Liberal Democratic Party, Fujita Fumitake emerged victorious in the by-election for Osaka's 12th district on April 21, 2019.
[65] In the Tokyo gubernatorial election on July 5, 2020, Taisuke Ono, the former Deputy Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, was a recommended candidate.
[67] On November 1, 2020, the second referendum on the Osaka Metropolitan Plan, a key policy of Ishin no Kai, was rejected by a majority.
[68] He also stated his resignation as president of the regional "Osaka Ishin no Kai", appointing Hirofumi Yoshimura as his successor.
[69] In the Hokkaido 2nd district by-election on April 25, 2021, following Takamori Yoshikawa's resignation from the Liberal Democratic Party, former provincial councilor Izumi Yamazaki was defended.
[77] On August 22, Secretary-General Baba discussed the government's framework on a TV program, hinting at potential cooperation with the ruling party after the upcoming general election of the House of Representatives.
[78] On the 26th, Representative Matsui, reflecting on Baba's comments, stated there was no conflict with the Liberal Democratic Party and dismissed any coalition or cooperation with Jiko.
[79][80] Additionally, Matsui supported Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's re-election in the LDP presidential election, citing the ease of collaboration between national and local governments, especially in combating the new coronavirus.
On the same day as the general election, Matsui announced his retirement from politics at the end of his mayoral term, stating it would be irresponsible to continue as a representative.
Furthermore, due to health issues, Toranosuke Katayama stepped down as co-representative, and Matsui suggested appointing Secretary-General Nobuyuki Baba as his successor.
[93] The party has not made an official stance on either supporting or opposing the amendment to Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, which prohibits Japan from possessing an offensive military, however it has pledged to partake in debate.
[2][3] The party manifesto for the 2022 Japanese Councillors election, dubbed "維新八策2022", containing 402 individual policy proposals, and included the following pledges:[99][100][101]