A project team on municipal reform working under the Osaka governor´s office has proposed as a budget reduction measure that public funding be terminated for the private foundation that operates Century Orchestra Osaka. This well-known orchestra depends on city funds for such a major part of its operations that the proposal raises concerns about its continued viability.

Since mid-April, a nationwide drive to collect signatures calling for continuation of the funding program has been under way in response to a plea from an organization of Century Orchestra backers. As of April 17, the number of signatures collected reached 75,941. They were presented to Governor Hashimoto with a request that the government ensure the orchestra's continued existence by continuing to provide financial support.

With new signatures coming in from all around Japan, the collection campaign is scheduled to continue until the end of April. For persons who wish to send in their signatures by fax or collect signatures from others, the petition can be downloaded from the orchestra's home page:

Friends of Century Orchestra Osaka
http://osaka-century.sakura.ne.jp/ (in Japanese version only)