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.
Table of Contents
Dignitaries Set to Visit World Expo
Two highly respected international leaders will visit the Osaka World Expo over the next week. First, the president of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics will take in the Expo on Sunday.
His trip to Osaka is part of planned three-day visit to Japan. During his time in Japan, the President will also hold trade talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. He also plans to meet Emperor Naruhito during his time here.
Dutch King Also Coming to World Expo
The Emperor won’t be the only royal in Japan with a busy schedule next week. The head of the Netherlands monarchy, King Willem-Alexander will also visit the Osaka World Expo next week.
His highness will be joined on his tour by Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Minister Reinette Klever. Economic Affairs Minister Dirk Beljaarts will also be part of the delegation. In addition to viewing the expo, the visiting ministers will also engage in trade negotiations with their Japanese counterparts. Both sides have expressed a desire to further deepen ties and strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
The Dutch are thought to have particular interest in tech industry products and digitalization mechanisms. If all goes well, some kind of reciprocal trade arrangement may be announced soon.
Former Osaka Kindergarten Worker Arrested for Indecent Images
There are few criminal charges more vile than those that involve the sexual exploitation of young children. Sadly, another case of such a heinous crime was reported in Osaka this week. A 38 year old former employee of a Kindergarten facility was arrested for producing and selling indecent images of children.
Hiroki Kamada, a 38 year old resident of Tokushima Prefecture, worked in Mima City for local municipal kindergarten. Over the course of 5 years, he is believed to have illicitly recorded nude images of boys under his care. He then sold these images, making over 3 million yen over the course of the five year period.
Police only caught on to his scheme when another individual, arrested in Osaka last year for possession of said images, named Kamada as the man who sold them to him.
Police seized more than 100 items from Kamada’s home in a raid earlier this year. It is believed he made thousands of images over the course of his time working in Mima City.
He was dismissed from his role in February when these allegations first became public.
The most sinister aspect of this whole story however, is that police believe Kamada maintained a network of as many as 600 customers nationwide who bought his photos.
Police are now trying to trace as many of these individuals as they can. Kamada has admitted to the allegations but a trial date has not yet been set.
Suffice to say, he’s probably looking at an extensive period in prison.
And Finally…
Spanish World Cup winner and former Barcelona and Vissel Kobe star Andres Iniesta was back in Osaka this week, promoting a very special upcoming event.
The recently retired Spanish midfielder, who won The World Cup with Spain in 2010, will take part in a special 5-a-side legends match between great Spanish La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. The match is scheduled for Kobe’s GLION ARENA on May 25th.
Billed as one of the great derbies of World soccer, El Classico as it is known in Spain draws millions of viewers from across the globe every time these titans meet on the pitch. The game is noted for its fierce rivalry, and political undertones.
Barcelona have traditionally represented the Catalan region, an area with its own unique language and culture, distinct from the rest of Spain. Real Madrid on the other hand, have always been known as the club of the Spanish nationalist establishment. During the Franco years, the Dictator made no secret of the fact that Real was his team of choice.
Thankfully, those playing in this friendly game will carry no such ideological baggage. Off the pitch many of them became good friends over the years. These friendships were built on mutual respect borne out of the fierce and unwavering dedication both sets of players showed to their respective causes on the pitch.
Iniesta confirmed during his meeting with local media this week that Brazilian Star Romario (also a World Cup winner in 1994) and fellow Spain legend Pepe are just two of the stars scheduled to appear.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
