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
Mobile Firm Devices Implicated in Lebanon Deaths
A mobile technology company based in Osaka sat at the center of an international storm this week. Images of the walkie-talkies used to conceal explosives in last week’s Beirut bombings suggest they were made by Icom INC. The tech firm is based in Osaka. However, they also have a number of overseas subsidiaries. It appears however, that the items used in the bombing, which killed 20 people and injured 250, were a discontinued item from the firm’s older models.
Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, which appear aimed at leaders of the militant group Hezbollah. However, initial investigations suggest that the walkie talkies, commonly employed by Hezbollah leadership, had their batteries switched out for explosives. Such a strategy would fit with the MO of MOSSAD, Israel’s infamous secret intelligence service.
Firm Denies Any Involvement in Making Explosives
With global opposition to Israel’s recent invasion of Gaza, any suggestion that the Osaka firm was assisting Israeli operations is potentially ruinous. However, Icom have been quick to dispel any such speculation.
The firm’s director Yoshiki Enomoto addressed media enquiries this week. He said: “We are still investigating. We cannot rule out the possibility that these devices are fakes. However, images would suggest that they are our IC-V82 model.
“However, the batteries appear to have been removed or modified in some way.”
The IC-V82 sold 160,000 units in Japan before being discontinued in 2014. The firm has no presence in the middle-east, however, it is likely many of Icom’s products found their way outside of Japan on the second-hand market.
Enomoto clarified: “We won’t know for sure until we see the serial numbers of the devices used. However, I can state categorically that our devices were not and never have been intentionally sold to anyone for this kind of purpose.”
The walkie talkie bombings followed on from a similar incident last Tuesday, when a series of exploding pagers killed at least 12 Lebanese.
Next week marks the one year anniversary of the start of the latest conflict in Gaza. Last October, Hamas operatives seized 1000 hostages from Israel, triggering the current conflict. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died in the bloodshed that followed.
ANA Drops Air Taxi Expo Plan
After a series of good news stories last week around the 2025 Osaka Expo, it seems normal service has now resumed. ANA, Japan’s top aviation firm, announced they will no longer provide air taxis to the Expo’s island venue. The air taxis were marketed as one of the focal points of the entire event. ANA’s rival Japan Airlines also confirmed they too are reconsidering whether to offer air taxis at the event. Should Japan Airlines drop out, it would mean that all four aviation firms that initially offered air taxis at the Expo, have now withdrawn them.
Many questioned the practicality of the services. Air taxis would have been extremely expensive, and most likely required far more fuel than conventional means of transport. Even since their initial announcement, critics sought to highlight their disingenuous nature. Sustainability has been a key buzzword around the Expo’s planning. Inefficient, expensive, fuel guzzling air taxis would seem to run counter that that ideal.
And Finally…
Researchers in Kobe and Osaka may have found a new way to tackle obesity. Previous treatments centered on a combination of exercise, diet, and appetite suppressing drugs. However, the study released by Kobe University, with collaboration efforts from institutions in Osaka, this week may allow weight watchers to take something of a short-cut. The research showed that exercise produces a protein called PGC-1A. This protein increases energy consumption, and therefore calorie burn, as more of it is produced. Conversely, the study also showed that lower PGC-1A production levels increased the likelihood of obesity and diabetes.
The hope that their research will lead to development of drugs to stimulate PGC-1A production in the body, leading to increased metabolic rate, and therefore better weaight regulation.
Such research does take time however. While the findings of this initial study are promising, the team emphasized it may take several more years for a product to come to market.
So, don’t rip up that gym membership card just yet!
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
