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
New Metro Station Completed Ahead of Expo
Osaka added a new name to its expansive list of train stations this week.
Ahead of the 2025 World Expo, set to begin in April, Yumeshima Station was shown off to the public for the first time last week. The new station, part of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, will offer a direct line from central Osaka to the island hosting the Expo.
Connecting via the Midosuji Subway line, at Umeda Station, travelers will be able to reach the Expo from Osaka Station in a little over 30 minutes.
Yumeshima Station boasts new, state of the art LED lighting, and a futuristic, mirrored aluminum ceiling with origami inspired accents.
The station will fully open to the public on January 19th next year.
New “Umbrella Shields” To Protect Train Staff
In related news, JR West unveiled their latest new security measure this week. Knife resistant umbrellas will be distributed to train staff to combat an increase in violence on trains. The new umbrellas are made of a special, blade resistant material, similar in many respects to the Kevlar used in police body armor.
They come mounted on shafts approximately one meter long. Primarily a defensive weapon, the umbrella’s long reach and wide area of coverage will, it is hoped, give passengers time to escape in the event of a knife attack.
They also weigh a mere 700 grams, allowing staff of all sizes and genders to wield them effectively. JR West expects to distribute at least 600 of the new weapons to trains across their next work by next March.
Americans in Osaka Watch with Joy and Despair as New President Elected
It was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon Osaka time that Donald Trump will once again return to The White House after 4 year out of power. To say reaction was mixed among Americans in Osaka would be an understatement.
Although Americans voting from abroad do, generally, lean towards the Democrats, there were also plenty of Osaka residents this week firmly on team Trump. Indeed, many were quick to highlight how a Trump presidency may benefit Japan.
One Tennoji Ward resident, speaking shortly after Trump passed the required 270 votes, said: “Do I agree with all the guy’s policies? No.
“But he’ll take a tougher line with China than Harris would, and that can only be a good thing for Japan’s security. His deregulation of the financial markets and embrace of cryptocurrency will make international trade easier too.”
Then again, another American in Osaka, this time from Chuo Ward, had this to say.
“I think it’s a disaster. How can we vote in a convicted criminal? The guy’s unhinged and spiteful. The next 4 years will be less about policy and more about him settling personal scores.”
However, with a time of likely upheaval at home looming large, there was one thing both interviewees agreed on. They’d rather be in Osaka than America at this moment in time!
And Finally…
There was excitement in Osaka’s gaming community this week, as rumors circulate that Chuo Ward based developer Capcom, may announce a new “Biohazard” game any day now.
Biohazard 9, or Resident Evil 9 to give it its western title, is rumored to have already been in development for several years.
Online sources point to a possible release window sometime next year. However, this may slip to 2026, should Capcom opt to release another remake of a previous Biohazard title first.
Following the success of 2019’s Biohazard 2 Remake, Biohazard RE 3 followed in 2020. Inevitably Biohazard RE4, then came around in 2023.
Next up would be either a remake of 2008’s Biohazard 5, or the side came Biohazard Code Veronica.
Whichever way they decide to go, with the franchise due to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, we should definitely expect some firm announcements very soon. The Game Awards, held in the US in early December may be the venue for such a declaration. Watch this space.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
