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.
Legionella Outbreak Latest of Expo’s Problems
Water shows at the Osaka International Expo 2025 were cancelled beginning June 6th. The cancellation came after high levels of legionella bacteria showed up in the sea water used at the event’s Water Plaza.
A previous safety inspection on May 29th first revealed the presence of the bacteria, which can cause serious health issues in humans. However, by June 5th, when a further inspection was carried out, the levels of the bacteria rose to more than 20 times the acceptable safety limit.
In tandem with the Expo’s ongoing midge outbreak, there is a serious potential for attendees getting sick. The midges currently running rampant at the Expo, experts believe, also originated from the Water Plaza.
Expo Organizers Form Task Force to Tackle Problem, But Criticisms Remain
Later, on Tuesday of this week, Expos organizers announced the establishment of a task force to tackle the legionella and midge infestation problems.
However, the fact that this took a full five days, and the lack of action in between drew criticism.
Since the establishment of the task force, high concentrations of legionella bacteria also appeared in The Forest of Tranquility, another attraction at the expo that draws on seawater for part of its display.
In the meantime, extensive pipe cleaning, water filtration and sanitation efforts continue. However, the unsanitary condition of the water in Osaka Bay has been a problem for the local population for decades. Question remain as to why the Expo decided to incorporate seawater into its displays in the first place.
Nintendo Launches New Console, But Scalping Problem Leaves Osaka Gamers Left Empty-Handed
After much fanfare, online speculation and even political problems, thanks to US government tariffs, Nintendo’s Switch 2 console finally launched in Japan this week. Winners of pre-sale lotteries gather outside many of Osaka’s electronics retailers last weekend to be among the first to get their hands on the new device. The handheld system comes a full 8 years after its predecessor; the Nintendo Switch originally launched way back in 2017.
Whilst Nintendo anticipates sales of around 15 million units this year, many fans in Osaka remained disappointed this week. Much like Sony’s PlayStation 5 in 2020 and many other high-demand electronics, “scalping” is a major issue for Nintendo’s fledgling new console.
Scalping is the practice of buying a high demand item at launch, only to resell it via online resale sites for a vastly inflated price.
The standard Japanese version of the Switch 2 launched with an official retail price of 49,980 yen. However, despite being sold out almost instantly, within minutes listings appeared on sites such as Mercari (a Japanese equivalent of E-Bay) for prices in the range of 75-90000 yen. One listing even had the price as high as 800,000 yen.
Scalping is not technically illegal. At the end of the day, people can sell their own second-hand items for whatever the market is willing to pay. However, debates continue within the public sphere as to how to tackle the problem. Is it illegal? No. Is it immoral and totally unfair to consumers? Absolutely.
Nintendo and their licensed resellers across Osaka continue to pass the buck back and forth when it comes to taking responsibility for the widespread problem of scalping.
And Finally…
One of Osaka’s most promising young soccer talents hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero this week.
Sota Kitano, a 20-year-old forward with Cerezo Osaka, will join Austrian side RB Salzburg, just in time for this month’s FIFA Club World Cup. Monaco’s Japanese playmaker Takumi Minamino went on to enjoy success in both England and France after also joining Salzburg from Cerezo back in 2015.
Kitano is young and still largely unproven at the top level. However, the move to Salzburg will see him compete at the very highest level. It will also boost his hopes of making Japan’s World Cup squad next summer.
Kitano issued a statement thanking Cerezo and their fans for all they had done to propel him to this next stage of his career. He said: “I’m thankful to everyone I met at Cerezo Osaka.
“I’ll do my best to give back.”
Though his challenge is just beginning, I’m sure you’ll join with us in wishing Kitano all the very best for his future in Europe.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
