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.
Group of Teens Charged with Attempted Murder
A group of teenagers were detained after an assault in an Osaka Park this week. The victim sustained severe head injuries and remains unconscious at the time of writing. Three suspects have been arrested since the assault, which took place in Toyonaka on the evening of August 18th. However, witness accounts suggest a group of 5 to 10 people took part in the cowardly attack. Other youths were seen fleeing the scene of the crime, as police arrived shortly after the attack.
The victim, 22 year old Ryuya Onaka, sustained a subdermal hematoma in the brutal attack. This is a form of internal bleeding on the brain. Police accounts say that the group collectively kicked and stamped upon the victims head throughout the incident.
At the time of writing, the prognosis for Onaka remains uncertain. If he does regain consciousness, there remains a high possibility of permanent brain damage.
Other Group Members Still At Large
More previously stated, police believe a far larger group than the three detained suspects carried out this attack. Investigators believe the victim met the three suspects (two from Osaka and one from Tokyo) along with other youths at the famous “Glico” neon sign in Shinsaibashi. This is a popular meeting spot for young people in Osaka. It is not clear exactly when relations between the victim and his attackers turned vicious. Police have not revealed if any of the three have entered a plea to the charges. They have also yet to disclose any suggestions of a clear motive for the attack.
Of the attackers still at large, police said that eyewitnesses reported a large group of “young men and women” kicking a guy in the head as he lay on the ground.
Such savage attacks are, thankfully, extremely rare in Osaka. However, this perhaps makes it all the more crucial that the remaining suspects are apprehended as quickly as possible. Investigations continue this week. Osaka Police have urged anyone who may have any information to come forward as soon as possible.
Research Group Makes Covid Treatment Breakthrough
The worst of the covid-19 pandemic is, thankfully, well behind us at this point. However, as we near the end of summer, colder weather brings I heightened risk of infection, as the virus continues to evolve. New strains continue to emerge, which although trending towards less dangerous than the initial virus, still pose a potentially lethal threat to the elderly and the immunocompromised.
In a welcome move, top minds from a group comprising members of Kyoto University, Osaka University and Fujita Health University announced a possible new treatment this week. The process involves creating unique immune cells, using embryonic stem cells.
These cells, known colloquially as “killer T-cells” can be programmed to target specifically infected cells in the body. In laboratory tests, these immune cells annihilated 90% of covid-infected cells within 12 hours. The next stage is clinical trials. However, it will be at least 3 years before researchers have a treatment ready for widespread use.
Stem cell use remains controversial, particularly in some religious, conservative circles. So, progress may slow further due to regulatory issues. The research group hopes that this new treatment will be of particular use to immunocompromised patients. Singled out for mention in the group’s initial report was recent recipients of chemotherapy for cancer. Such treatment unfortunately damages healthy cells as well as cancerous ones, leaving the individual’s immune system in a weakened state for a time.
And Finally…
Osaka looks set to regain the record as the birthplace of the world’s oldest living person. The sad passing of 117 year old Maria Branyas Morera in Spain on Monday, means the title of world’s oldest living person is now once again up for grabs. Barring any unforeseen last minute hitches, it seems that person is Osaka-born Tomiko Itooka. The 116 year old, who now lives in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, became Japan’s oldest person in 2023, following the passing of Fusa Tatsumi, also from Osaka.
The Gerontology Research Group, a non-profit organization that tracks the world’s oldest people, said Itooka is now the oldest person alive. They expect Guinness World Records to confirm this within the next week or so. Itooka now lives in a nursing home and requires the use of a wheelchair to get around. However, she remains bright and alert and still enjoys an active daily life.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
