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.
USJ Ticket Case Finds In Park’s Favor, With Caveats
Osaka’s High Court this week rejected a case brought against Universal Studios Japan in relation to their ticket policies.
Plaintiffs had hoped the case would affirm their belief that USJ’s ban on ticket cancellation or reselling was illegal. However, the court ultimately dismissed the case. USJ claimed this as a validation of their policy stance. However, there was a catch.
The judge for this case, Yumiko Tokuoka, said that restrictions on resale were “reasonable, in order to prevent price rises.” There have been numerous cases of price gouging for tickets such as concert and sports events in recent times. Perhaps the most infamous was Tayor Swift’s World Tour last year, which drew widespread derision for the seeming complete lack of controls on ticket touts, reselling tickets for hundreds of times their face value.
Case Still Leaves Legal Gray Areas
However, the case wasn’t the proverbial slam dunk for USJ. The judge overturned a previous ruling in Osaka lower courts. The previous adjudication said a ban on cancellations did not violate the Consumer Contract Act. However, Judge Tokuoka added that USJ’s policies did not violate the Act to the extent that they could be considered illegal.
That admission that USJ were in breach of the act was seized upon by the Kansai Consumer Support Organization. The non-profit group supported plaintiffs in this case, after receiving similar complaints from consumers across Japan.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The fact that the court recognized user rights are being restricted is a breakthrough toward acknowledging the park’s terms as illegal.”
So, while USJ claimed “validation” in the verdict, it seems this may not be the last we hear of this issue.
Osaka Police Sergeant in Power Harassment Case
A senior officer with Osaka’s Prefectural Police may face disciplinary action over allegations of abuse of power.
The sergeant in question stands accused of slapping his subordinate on multiple occasions. The abuse allegedly took place during office parties, and also during a joint assignment to Oita Prefecture last month, where the two shared a room.
The senior officer admitted striking his colleague, but said he did so because, he “was annoyed and trying to sleep, while his colleague was being noisy.”
There are also allegations that the younger officer was forced to remove his clothes after being summoned to a meeting where senior officers were drinking.
Despite much progress in recent times, reports of abuse by police, both within the force and against the public remain a recurring problem for the Osaka force.
We’ve previously covered cases of suspects dying whilst in police custody, whilst others alleged mistreatment. Critics cite a lack of transparency and there being no clear means for officers to “blow the whistle” on bad behavior as major contributing factors.
The investigation continues.
Police Hail Kids Who Helped Child in Trouble
In lighter news, Osaka’s Ikuno Police Station conferred a special award on three elementary school students this week, after they stepped up to help a child in distress.
8 year olds Toa Nishii and Kosei Miyako, along with Kosei’s younger brother Issei found the boy alone and crying on November 16th. The three students of Tatsumi Higashi Elementary School remembered what their parents told them: “If you’re in trouble find a police box.” So, they took the young boy to the nearest police box, where he was soon able to reunite with his mother.
Ikuno Police Chief Shuichi Muraoka praised the three for their quick thinking and ingenuity. He also added: “They set a great example. I hope everyone in their school will follow their example of kindness.”
And Finally…
Two stars of Japanese Skating announced their intent for the years ahead in Osaka this past week.
Yuma Kagiyama and Kaori Sakamoto claimed the national men’s and women’s titles respectively at the Japanese Skating Championship in Kadoma, Osaka, on December 23rd.
Their victories mean they automatically qualify for the Skating World Championship, to be held in Boston, USA, next year.
However, there will be more than just titles on the line in Massachusetts next March. The event also offers up crucial Olympic qualification points. Kagiyama acknowledged this in his press conference after Monday’s event.
“This is just part of a two year program.” He told reporters in Osaka.
“My primary focus remains on qualifying for the 2026 Olympics.”
If he and Sakamoto can maintain the form they showed this week, few would bet against them when they head Stateside.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
