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.
AI Tech Project in Osaka Still on Track
Softbank CEO Masuyoshi Son set out to reassure concerned parties in Osaka this week. His company’s planned joint venture with US firms Open AI and Oracle seemed in jeopardy after a major tech breakthrough sent shockwaves through global stock markets last week.
The announcement last week of a new AI model from China, Deepseek, marked more than just the entry of a new player into the AI tech market. Deepseek’s language learning model, the algorithm used to train their AI, was produced using cheaper chipsets and far less power than those of Open AI’s ChatGPT. Despite this, Deepseek showed similar benchmark results in various tests.
However, Softbank’s plans for new AI data centers in Osaka and Hokkaido will not change, according to Son. Speaking to investors in Tokyo this week, he assured all concerned that Softbank and Open AI’s partnership will continue.
Corporate Clients the Main Focus for New Tech Partnership
“We will bring the latest and most advanced AI solutions to corporate clients around the world from our base here in Japan.” Son said this week.
The new company, named SB Open AI Japan, seeks to target the corporate market. Son believes this sets it aside from Deepseek and other AI chatbots, which have more of a consumer focus.
Concerns remain however, about the longterm profitability and viability of the AI sector, now that China has shown it can still produce similar results as its US rivals, even without access to the best tech in the sector.
Nintendo Lowers Forecast as Consumers Await New Tech
Kansai based gaming giant Nintendo announced a drop in its financial forecasts as consumers hold out for the latest tech.
Nintendo cut their net profit forecast for the year ending March 2025 by 30 billion yen. In a revision down from the previous estimate of 300 billion yen, the next profit forecast now stands at 270 million yen.
The main reason for this decline is pretty clear to industry experts. Gamers are waiting for the recently announced Switch 2. Nintendo’s current flagship console, the Nintendo Switch has been on the market since 2017. Though it boasts an impressive library of titles, and continues to garner praise for its portability, the Switch lags far behind more recent consoles such as Sony’s PlayStation 5 in tech performance.
Sales of the Switch dropped off considerably towards the end of last year as rumors swirled that the announcement of a successor Nintendo console was imminent.
Between March and December 2024 Switch sales fell by more than 30%. Software sales have also dipped, amidst uncertainty as to whether or not the Switch 2 will allow full backwards compatibility with existing Switch titles.
Capcom Showcase has Gamers Excited
There was better news however for Osaka’s premier gaming software developer, Capcom. At a showcase event on February 4th, the Chuo Ward based firm showcased the latest installment in their Monster Hunter series.
However, the biggest surprise of the showcase was the unexpected return of a PlayStation 2 classic. With a new entry in the long-dormant Onimusha franchise set to debut in 2026, Capcom delighted fans with the news that their 2002 title Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is getting a remaster for modern systems.
Onimusha 2 was one of the PlayStation 2’s most popular early titles, however a remaster seemed unlikely given the disappointing reception of the 2019 remaster of Onimusha 1, and alleged issues over the image rights of the main character. Onimusha 2’s main protagonist Jubei Yagyu used the facial likeness of the late Yusaku Matsuda, a prominent Japanese actor. However, it seems Capcom has now resolved whatever issues there were, if indeed there ever were any with Matsuda’s estate, ensuring that Onimusha 2 will soon be available for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy.
And Finally…
We end this week’s news on a somber note, with the passing of an Osaka sporting legend.
Former Hanshin Tigers manager Yoshio Yoshida died this week after suffering a stroke.
He was 91.
Yoshida managed the Tigers 3 times during a storied career in management. However, he is probably best remembered for overseeing the team’s historic championship win of 1985. A feat the Tigers wouldn’t repeat for another 38 years!
Yoshida was also an accomplished player in his day. He spent 17 years playing with the Tigers before retiring in 1969 to enter management. Later in his career, he also helped further baseball’s international audience during a stint as manager of France’s national baseball team.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
