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
Rare Martian Meteorite To be Shown at Osaka Expo
In a timely boost for the flagging Osaka World Expo, set to kick off in less than 3 months time, a rare meteorite will go on display at the event. Organizers confirmed this week that a Martian meteorite will feature prominently at the Japanese Government Pavilion at the Expo, which opens in April.
The meteorite was unearthed during a Japanese exhibition to Antarctica. Further analysis verified its extraterrestrial origin. The meteorite was once on the surface of the planet Mars. However, it was ejected from Mars’ faint atmosphere during an impact event in the distant past. Over time, it drifted to Earth, eventually landing in Antarctica.
Several examples of such rocks have been unearthed in recent times. However, the Japanese team’s specimen is one of the largest of its kind known to exist. The meteorite measures 29 cm across and 17.5 cm in height.
Rare Rock Aims to Inspire
Organizers hope the rare meteorite will encourage visitors to think about the importance of life in all its forms.
Some scientists believe that meteorites like this may have brought microbial life to Earth billions of years ago, seeding the planet to become the thriving hub of biodiversity it is today.
They also give others hope that we may yet find life, albeit in microscopic, subsurface-dwelling form, on the Red Planet.
In any case, the Japanese Government hopes this fascinating and thought provoking exhibit will bring in some more visitors and generate some much needed positive buzz around the struggling expo. Ticket sales remain stagnant, with just a matter of weeks until the event begins.
In Rare Move, Japan’s Newest Yokozuna Set to Debut in Osaka
After much speculation and hype over the last few days, the Japan Sumo Association finally confirmed earlier this week that we do indeed have a new Yokozuna. Mongolian born wrestler Hoshoryu becomes the 74th wrestler to obtain the sport’s highest rank. He follows in the proud footsteps of his uncle, the legendary Asashoryu, who became Mongolia’s first Yokozuna in 2003.
The timing of Hoshoryu’s promotion means he will make his debut as a grand champion at the Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament in March.
Additionally, with the recent retirement of Japan’s previous grand champion Terunofuji, it means Hoshoryu will move forward as the only Yokozuna at the Osaka tournament.
Hoshoryu’s rise through the ranks could indeed be described as meteoric. At just 26 years old, his promotion to Yokozuna is the 6th fastest in the sport’s modern history. It also means that, injuries permitting, his reign as grand champion may be one of the longest Sumo has ever seen.
In any case, it will be interesting to see how the affable giant handles his first tournament as Sumo’s big boss in Osaka in a few weeks’ time.
Osaka Foreign Community Continues to Grow
Statistics released this week confirmed that, for the second consecutive year, Osaka is one of Japan’s most popular destinations for new immigrants. Osaka saw its population increase by 31,780 people in the past year. 54% of these newcomers were of foreign origin, a new record.
Experts cite both economic opportunity and Osaka’s more affordable living costs than the likes of Yokohama and Tokyo as reasons behind the recent surge in arrivals.
However, Osaka has always had a sizeable foreign community. Ikuno Ward contains the largest proportion of foreign residents, many of them from Korea, with 15% of its total population being from outside Japan.
Unlike other places around the world, where hostility towards immigration has sharply increased in recent years, Osaka seems, on the surface at least, to have no such issues.
Residents we spoke to said they had no issue with people coming to the city, so long as they worked hard and respected local laws and customs.
For their part, recently arrived foreign residents also remarked that Osaka has been a welcoming and friendly place for them so far.
Japan has loosened the restrictions on certain types of working visas in recent times, in order to boost its falling working population. While this hasn’t proved universally popular, even the more conservative elements of Japan’s political classes acknowledge that some level of immigration is necessary to plug gaps in the labor market.
And Finally…
One of the world’s most prominent marathon runners made her mark in Osaka once again this past weekend. Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa took first place in the Osaka Women’s Marathon on Sunday. It was the second year in a row that the Ethiopian Olympian has won the race. She ran largely unchallenged for most of the final 15kms of the race, coming home in a time of 2 hours and 21 minutes.
In a pleasant surprise, local runner Kana Kobayashi finished just 19 seconds behind Edesa in second place. This career best performance from Kobayashi ensures she will earn a berth at the World Championships later this year. The same also goes for Paris Olympian Yuka Suzuki, who also secured qualification with her 3rd place finish.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
