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
Watch Theft Leads to 2 Arrests
Osaka police arrested two suspects this week after one of the biggest watch thefts in years. The two suspects were apprehended for stealing a van containing 172 Rolex watches. With each watch retailing for millions of yen, the total value of the watch consignment is said to be close to 300 million yen. That’s almost 2 million US dollars.
The suspects detained are 55 year old Toshio Yoshikawa and 52 year old Shinya Onishi. Onishi has been under the watch of Osaka Police for quite some time, as a registered member of the Yamaguchi-Gumi organized crime syndicate.
At the time of writing, it is unknown if the suspects have admitted the allegations against them.
Watch Theft Happened in Broad Daylight
The sheer opportunistic brazenness of the suspects in this case is astounding, to the point that it seems almost incredulous.
The two men stole the van early on the morning of May 21st this year. The driver had left the vehicle for around two or three minutes to make a delivery in Chuo Ward. He was scheduled to deliver to several different authorized Rolex Watch dealers in Osaka that morning. Unfortunately for the driver, he had left the van unlocked and the engine running. The thieves wasted no time in taking full advantage of the situation.
However, the fact that they knew exactly where and when the van would stop suggests they had help from at least one other, as yet unidentified party, with inside knowledge.
The van was recovered later that same day, in Naniwa Ward. However the watch consignment was completely gone. Police believe much of the merchandize may have already been resold on the black market. Police identified the suspects thanks to footage from nearby CCTV cameras.
In the meantime, if someone in Osaka offers you a cheap Rolex watch, it’s probably best if you politely decline their offer, then contact the nearest police officer.
Customers on Bargain Watch, Kansai Airport Still Suffering “Covid Hangover”
Eager travelers departing from Kansai Airport may soon be able to snag themselves a bargain in the months ahead. Representatives of both Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways confirmed to the media this week that their passenger numbers passing through Kansai Airport remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Whilst the pandemic is now firmly behind us, many customers remain anxious. There is also the factor of cost. Fares on some longer haul routes have almost doubled since 2019. When discounts are offered, customer numbers show the appetite is there, however the astronomical price of some flights at the moment places them well beyond the ordinary consumer.
Analysts expect an equilibrium to emerge in the months ahead.
One said: “The current market is unsustainable. Too few customers can afford the current prices. The luxury aspect of the first class and business class market alone is not enough to sustain these airlines. Unless passenger numbers go back up, there are dark days ahead for many of them.”
Neither ANA nor JAL will publicly admit it, but the reality is that prices need to come down. Perhaps not to 2019 levels, but certainly far lower than the current range. Meanwhile, travelers continue to watch travel sites ahead of the anticipated price-cut deluge.
And Finally…
Fans of Convenience store alcohol drinks in Osaka received some good news this week. Following on from the success of their Hakushu Premium Highball drink, launched in 2023, Suntory is launching another high-grade whisky cocktail.
This time, the new Yamazaki Premium Highball (A cocktail made from whisky and soda water) will use unblended whisky from Osaka’s own Yamazaki distillery.
The new drink will retail for 660 yen per can. This is more than double the price of regular Highball, however, Suntory assures drinkers that you’ll taste the difference.
The new Yamazaki Premium Highball debuts nationwide on December 24th.
However, at 9% alcohol, it’s certainly not one for the faint-hearted, or those who enjoy waking up without a hangover the next day!
As always, we at Osaka.com remind you all to please drink responsibly.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
