Osaka's double elections have gathered nationwide attention, with the controversial Osaka Metropolis plan being a significant issue. The city's mayoral and gubernatorial polls were held simultaneously, creating what has been called 'double elections.' The Osaka Metropolis plan, aiming to restructure Osaka as a metropolis akin to Tokyo, has been a divisive topic among voters. While proponents argue it would cut costs and streamline government, others are concerned about potential power consolidation and the impact on local services.

The Osaka Metropolis plan affects the daily lives of Osaka's citizens, as it would significantly alter administrative and governance structures. Therefore, its potential impacts are widely debated in the local community. Japan has a strong focus on local autonomy and governance, making such a major reform a very sensitive issue.

Comparable situations in the U.S. or EU might be major administrative or territorial reforms, such as proposals to create new states or merge existing ones. These would also be hotly debated and require direct democratic endorsement, such as referendums.