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.
Domestic Dispute Leads to Fatal Stabbing
A domestic quarrel between a husband and wife had fatal consequences for one Osaka man this week.
Masaru Okada was stabbed in the stomach by his wife on May 14th. The 76 year old from Minato Ward got into an argument with his 64 year old wife, Pamera, after asking her “isn’t dinner ready yet?”
He then, allegedly, continued to complain while his wife was cooking. Following this, she snapped, allegedly yelled “Die!” at her husband before stabbing him in the stomach with a kitchen knife. Apparently coming to her senses soon after, Mrs Okada called an ambulance. She told emergency services “I just stabbed my husband wife a kitchen knife.” Paramedics quickly arrived on the scene, but sadly, they were too late to save Mr Okada, who died shortly after.
Domestic Violence “A Continual Problem”
Mrs Okada was arrested on the spot and initially charged with attempted murder. However, police have since said this is “under review” following her husband’s death. It is possible that more charges will follow, however, the issue at hand is one of intent. The assailant admits stabbing the victim, but despite this it is not clear if she actually intended to kill him. In other jurisdictions, one may argue a case of temporary insanity. However, in Japan such rulings are extremely rare. The requirements in order for a perpetrator to be declared mentally unfit to stand trial are generally higher in Japan. Rather than an isolated incident, the attacker needs to demonstrate a consistent pattern of mentally unstable behavior in the run up to committing the crime. At the time of writing, no such pattern appears evident. However, police investigations are continuing so that could change.
Sharp Set to End Domestic Large LCD Production
Osaka-based electronics giant Sharp is withdrawing from the domestic Large Liquid Crystal Display market. The Osaka plant where there large LCDs are currently made is the last remaining factory of its type in Japan. The plant will cease production in September. The news was announced at a briefing this week from Sharp CEO Wu Po-Hsuan. Sharp has been under Taiwanese ownership for a number of years, but continues to operate out of Japan.
Staff will be offered either early retirement or severance packages.
Sharp also confirmed that they plan to sell off their semiconductor business, as part of a wider range of cost-cutting measures. Growing competition from cheaper and in many cases technically superior screens from elsewhere in Asia contributed to Sharp making a 260 billion yen loss in the past financial year. Whilst the company as a whole predicts it will return to profit this year, the gains are modest. Analysts predict Sharp will show a net profit of 5 billion yen this year. However, their domestic LCD operation will once again show a substantial loss.
And Finally…
The Scottish seaside town of Kilmarnock may not be a place well-known to many of our readers, but it made a happy hunting ground for one of Osaka’s own sporting heroes this week.
Celtic and Japan striker Daizen Maeda scored the second goal as Celtic completed a 5-0 victory at Kilmarnock in the penultimate round of fixtures for the Scottish Premiership season. Coupled with a hard fought Glasgow Derby win last weekend, where Maeda also played a crucial role, it means Celtic are once again Champions of Scotland.
Maeda has endured a difficult season. Celtic have, at times stuttered as manager Brendan Rodgers tried to impose a very different style of football to that successfully employed last season by previous boss Ange Postecoglou.
Maeda however has been a stalwart in the side for most of the campaign. His tireless work rate, coupled with a number of vital goals and assists played a critical part in ensuring the league championship is on its way to Glasgow’s East End once again. Before Maeda and company can look to next year and a return to the revamped UEFA Champions League, there remains one small domestic matter. Celtic face off against bitter rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on May 25th.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
