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
Osaka Man Arrested for Online Threat
Unfortunately, it’s not just the US and Europe where Twitter (now called X by some) has become a hive for the worst sort of people. Japan has its share of online trolls too. Thankfully one of them faced consequences for his hateful actions this week.
An Osaka Office worker in his 20s was arrested recently for online threats against a woman in a wheelchair. His victim, Ryoko Nakajima is a prominent online voice for disabled rights and advocating for this often maligned group in Japanese society. In April, Nakajima made a post on the Elon Musk-owned platform about her allegedly being refused entry to a movie theater. Whilst most comments were supportive, there were, naturally some truly disgusting responses too.
Worst of these was one from the aforementioned Osaka resident. He said via an unsolicited direct message to Nakajima “You’re a disgrace to disabled people, you should just die!”
He continued: “In fact, half of you is already dead. Soon, I’ll kill the other half!”
Despite Threat, Troll Avoids Custodial Sentence
In the end, the Osaka resident was fined 100,000 yen for his actions. He was granted leniency on the grounds that he showed clear remorse for his actions. In statements given to police, he cited “work stress and general despair” as reasons for his actions. He also wrote a personal apology letter to Nakajima, in which he called his messages, unacceptable. The perpetrator said that he saw the deluge of negative comments aimed at Nakajima and decided to join in.
Japan has been taking stronger steps to crack down on online harassment and threats since the high profile suicide of reality TV star Hana Kimura The former wrestler took her own life in 2020. Online abuse was deemed to be a major contributor to her diminished mental state in the final hours of her life.
Although several of her abusers were charged and ordered to pay compensation to Kimura’s family, including another man from Osaka, ultimately legal experts agreed that the law needed strengthening, with harsher penalties, to prevent recurrences. To date however, no one has been jailed in Japan for an online hate crime.
With Threat of Retirement Looming, Ioka Eyes Final Title Shot
A top Osaka boxer, and former World Champion, will face his toughest challenge yet at the end of this year.
On December 31st, Kazuto Ioka will step into the ring for a rematch with Argentina’s Fernando Martinez. Martinez claimed the IBF and WBA super flyweight world titles after a unanimous points win over Ioka last July.
Martinez is also keen on a rematch. He voluntarily gave up his IBF title, by declining a mandatory defense against the number one challenger, to make the rematch happen.
Ioka was Japan’s first World Champion at four different weight divisions when he claimed the title in 2019. Two other fighters, Kosei Tanaka and Naoya Inoue have since emulated his feat.
However, the threat of retirement is very real for Ioka, should he fail to regain his title. He was non-comittal when asked about the prospect in local media this week. “I’m not saying I’ll definitely retire if I lose. But if I don’t reclaim the title, I may not get another shot.”
However, most fighters will tell you that it’s in times like these that warriors show their true character. Despite being two years older than his opponent, Ioka certainly still poses a threat. It promises to be a fascinating contest, whatever the outcome.
And Finally…
Ever wondered why you see so many dead mantises on the roads in and around Osaka this time of year?
Well, a group of local scientists may have the answer, disturbing though it may sound.
According to research published in Osaka this week, parasitic worms may be the cause. These worms are known to infect the brains of mantises, manipulating their behavior.
Scientists this week announced, after experimenting on infected and uninfected mantises over an extended period, the link between these factors.
The worms feed on water, and so are attracted to nearby sources. However, in their confused state, the mantises mistake the autumn gleam of asphalt for water, and are attracted to it. Once there, many unfortunate mantises soon find themselves either under a car wheel, or passing out succumbing to the heat.
Halloween season may be over, but zombie mantises, it seems, are here to stay for a while!
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
