[1] Hashimoto, a lawyer and popular TV personality, was elected Governor of Osaka in January 2008 with the support of the local branches of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.

Following this, a faction of six assembly members led by Ichirō Matsui, who was supported by Hashimoto, formed the "Liberal Democratic Party Restoration Association" (自由民主党・維新の会).

When the Japan Restoration Association, also headed by Hashimoto and Matsui, was founded in 2012 it was announced that the Osaka organization would come under the umbrella of the national party.

In the mayoral election, Hirofumi Yoshimura, a former member of the national House of Representatives, was selected as the party's candidate to replace Hashimoto.

[7] The double victory has been considered a boost to the party's main policy of resurrecting the metropolis merger plan.