Key Facts
• August 7, 2025: Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa announced resignation as Nagoya branch leader.
• Resignation effective August 6, 2025, following public criticism.
• Criticism arose after Hirosawa’s plan to deliver a letter to Nanjing city.
• Nanjing-Nagoya official exchanges halted since 2012 due to controversial remarks.
• 2012: Former Mayor Takashi Kawamura denied Nanjing Massacre, halting exchanges.
• Nagoya and Nanjing became sister cities in 1978 for mutual understanding.
• Conservative Party dissolved Nagoya branch for reorganization on August 6, 2025.
• Hirosawa remains a party member and plans to deliver the letter as scheduled.
Summary
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa resigned as the leader of the Conservative Party’s Nagoya branch on August 6, 2025, following public criticism over his efforts to resume official exchanges with Nanjing. The controversy stems from former Mayor Takashi Kawamura’s 2012 remarks denying the Nanjing Massacre, which led to a halt in exchanges between the two cities. Hirosawa, who has served as branch leader since September 2024, expressed his commitment to preserving the long-standing sister city relationship established in 1978. The Conservative Party announced the dissolution and reorganization of its Nagoya branch on the same day. Despite stepping down, Hirosawa remains a party member and intends to deliver a letter to Nanjing as planned, emphasizing the importance of restoring ties.
