Each week, here at Osaka.com, we bring you a selection of some of the top stories about Osaka making the local and national news here in Japan. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, but it’s always direct to you, from Osaka.
Here’s a look at some of the stories hitting the headlines in Osaka this week.
Anger as Refuge Forcefully Cleared
One of Osaka’s last large scale shelters for the city’s many homeless people was finally cleared this week. Legislation to authorize the forced removal of residents at the abandoned building in Nishinari Ward originally passed in May of this year. However, authorities gave no prior warning as to when they would clear the site. In the end, it was in the early hours of December 1st, that enforcement officials made their move.
The derelict building previously served as a support center for day laborers in Osaka city. However, it closed in 2019. Despite promises to replace the facility, the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, and its various complicating economic factors, ensured this never happened.
There was a mix of anger, confusion and despair among the areas former residents this week. Some of them had mere minutes of notice that they were being removed. One resident told reporters he had no idea at all.
“I went for a walk, and when I came back all my stuff was gone and the site was sealed off.”
He continued: “I don’t know where I’ll go now.” That sentiment was echoed by most of the former residents who spoke to local media this week.
Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said: “It’s been more than half a year since we announced this area was to be cleared. Those who remained until this week chose not to comply with this order. We want to clear and demolish the site as soon as possible. We will then build a new facility in its place.”
Yoshimura Assumes National Role, Addresses Public Anger at Politics
It was a busy week for Yoshimura. Aside from displacing dozens of homeless people, he also accepted his first role in national politics this week. As we reported last month, Yoshimura was the front runner to assume the mantle of leadership for the Japan Innovation Party. The Osaka based party lost a number of seats in October’s general election. Amidst much anger and finger pointing from party members and supporters, previous leader Nobuyuki Baba resigned, assuming responsibility.
At 49, Yoshimura is relatively young compared to many of his peers in Japanese national politics.
However, he intends to surround himself with older, more experienced heads. Reports suggest he has approached former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, formerly of the Democatic Party of Japan, to be his deputy.
At time of writing, Maehara has yet to confirm if he will accept the offer.
Yoshimura’s immediate goal however is not one of expansion but consolidation. The JIP’s powerbase remains in Osaka. He said it was unlikely the party would field candidates nationally for the foreseeable future
Yoshimura’s ascent comes at a difficult time for Japan’s political classes. New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba continues to struggle on with a minority government. However, amidst widespread public anger at corruption in the ruling LDP party, Japan’s numerous opposition parties remain as disparate and divided as ever.
Attempted Murder of Police Officer Leads to Arrest
An Osaka police officer wwas lucky to be alive this week, after a suspect’s anger almost got him killed. During what appeared to be a routine traffic stop, the vehicle housing the two suspects surged forward towards the officer, launching him onto the hood of the car. He stayed there as the car careened more than 200 meters down the road.
It was only when the officer threatened to shoot the suspects if they didn’t stop the car immediately that they did so.
The two suspects then exited the car and fled on foot. However, one of them, the passenger, later turned himself in. The driver remains at large.
Instances of “road rage” and other anger-fueled accidents involving motorists have spiked in recent years in Osaka. Police continue to urge drivers to remain calm, and not get angry in the face of bad driving or goading from other drivers.
Still, as any driver will tell you, that’s easier said than done.
And Finally…
An Osaka footballing legend finally hung up his boots for good this week. At the age of 45, former Japan international soccer star Junichi Inamoto announced his retirement from playing this week.
The attacking midfielder, a product of Gamba Osaka’s youth academy, made his professional debut in 1997. Aged just 17, this made him the J-League’s youngest ever debutant at the time. An international call up soon followed, as did a move to English Premier League giants Arsenal in 2001. However, it was at the 2002 World Cup where Inamoto wrote himself into footballing folklore. He scored the only goal in Japan’s 1-0 victory over Russia. This was the nation’s first ever win at a World Cup, and propelled them to the last 16. Japan haven’t missed a tournament since, and have cemented their place as the dominant footballing force in Asia.
Inamoto enjoyed further success in the EPL with Fulham, and later West Brom and Cardiff. He also played for Japan at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Inamoto has been coy about what comes next for him, but we highly doubt we’ve seen the last of this soccer star.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
