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.
Table of Contents
Fire Rages Through Shinsekai
A fire caused significant damage at one of Osaka’s best-known tourist spots this week.
The fire started in a game center in Shinsekai, just a short walk from the famous Tsutenkaku Tower in south eastern Osaka City. Firefighters received a call for assistance just before 5pm on January 21st. One staff member of the game center, who was the only person on site at the time, required hospital treatment for burns and smoke inhalation. His condition at this time is conscious and stable. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Initial assessments suggest the fire engulfed a total area of around 500 square meters. Whilst the billowing clouds of black smoke caused some distress to local passers-by, the quick thinking and swift action of the fire service ensured the fire was quickly contained.
Recent events in California have created some anxiety among the public about the risk of fire, particularly in older buildings with wooden frames.
Thankfully however, this particular blaze proved to be little than a minor inconvenience.
Fire Cause Remains Unknown
At the time of writing, there has been no formal confirmation of the cause of the blaze. Police and fire services sources would not comment on suggestions circulating online. Many speculate that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
The gaming center where the fire started does indeed house a number of older arcade machines and games. Some of these are indeed prone to short circuit in certain circumstances. However, until investigators complete their work on the site, we can neither confirm nor deny such suggestions.
The fire is also a further blow to the fading influence of gaming centers in Osaka. Once a hub of social activity these centers have stagnated over the past two decades as more and more people opt to do their gaming exclusively at home. Whatever takes the center’s place, another gaming establishment seems unlikely, given the costs involved.
Smoking Ban Aims to Fire Up Expo Enthusiasm
Despite recent, massive renovation efforts across much of the city, Osaka retains a reputation amongst some as a somewhat grey, dirty city.
Of course, this isn’t true, but nonetheless the local government still felt compelled to take proactive action in this regard.
To that end, a public smoking ban, formally approved in the regional assembly last year, comes into force from next week.
Under the ban, anyone caught violating the ordinance will face an on the spot fine of 1000 yen.
The ban includes not only traditional cigarettes and cigars, but also heated tobacco products, such as certain types of vapes.
Many local restaurants will also voluntarily enter into the scheme in the coming days. About 4,000 eateries across the greater Osaka area have pledged to enforce smoking bans on their premises on or before April 1st. This comes in the face of additional rules governing smoking in restaurants which will also come into force on the same day.
Smoking Ban Extends to All Medium and Large Sized Restaurants
The new restaurant ordinance which comes into law in April forbids smoking in any venue in Osaka serving food with a seating area larger than 30 square meters. Smaller premises will be allowed to retain smoking rooms, but these must be kept separate from the main dining area.
Whilst public health advocates and tourism industry representatives welcomed the move, some are skeptical.
Local business owners expressed concern that smokers may simply stop coming to their establishments. Others also said it was unfair that their small businesses would have to spend significant money to install smoking rooms, whilst similar premises such as snack bars and hostess clubs are exempt.
Snack bars and host/hostess clubs cited allowing customers to smoke as integral to their business model, and the local government accepted this.
Whilst the target clientele of such places and conventional restaurants and bars is radically different, some owners still believe it is a double standard.
However, with the final hurdles now cleared the law will begin next week, with further measures coming in from April. Like it or not, smoking in Osaka is about to become much more arduous.
And Finally…
One of Cerezo Osaka’s most celebrated players announced his retirement this week. 35-year-old Yoichiro Kakitani, who represented Japan at the 2014 World Cup told media last week that he will retire with immediate effect. The forward, who enjoyed a spell in Europe with FC Basel after leaving Cerezo, has not yet announced what comes next for him. However, given his profile and his wealth of experience, a move into coaching seems likely.
Kakitani finished up his playing days last season at J-2 League side Tokushima Vortis. He had previously played there as an emerging youth talent, prior to establishing himself at Cerezo.
He also scored 5 goals in a total of 18 international appearances for Japan.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
