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
Osaka Castle and Tokyo Sky Tree Lit Up In Gold in Support Of Fight Against Childhood Cancer
Much is written about the, at times fractious, rivalry between Osaka and Tokyo. However, our friends up in the Kanto Region united with their brothers and sisters in Kansai this week. Together with other prominent locations across all 47 of Japan’s prefectures, Tokyo Sky Tree and Osaka Castle were lit up in Gold to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
The stunning sight, on the evening of September 9th was repeated across a total of 160 locations nationwide.
This annual tradition goes back to 2020. It is the brainchild of Japan Children’s Cancer Group. An Osaka based charity, that aims to raise awareness of the battles so many children face against this horrible disease.
The idea behind lighting up large buildings around Japan was so that hopefully, children battling cancer and their parents could look out from their windows and see these golden beacons of hope, wherever they are in Japan.
Cancer Charity Initiative Prepares for Osaka Main Event
It’s not just monuments who are getting in on the action either. Events will also take place alongside J-League Soccer Games as well as Baseball matches too, to further highlight this charity and the tremendous work they do. The entire series of events culminates on September 23rd. A live event to mark the 5-year journey of this charity’s incredible rise from small group actions to a nationwide event will take place at Osaka General Hospital’s Sakura Hall.
The celebration will be livestreamed on the charity’s YouTube channel.
North Korean Defector Address Osaka Audience, Hopes to Raise Awareness
Osaka residents were given a rare insight into one of the most secretive, and many would say sinister nations on Earth, North Korea, this past week. Hong Kyong Ui, the leader of Osaka-based NGO Free2Move, which helps those who have escaped from the isolated dictatorship, facilitated an audience with a recent defector in Osaka this week.
The 29-year-old, for the sake of his own safety cannot be named. He told a harrowing story of being forced to quit school at age 10, to do hard labor.
Over the years, he explained that an interest in South Korean TV dramas, which are also quite popular in Japan, drove him to want to see more of the outside world beyond North Korea.
He and his friend would watch the shows on a smuggled USB stick. Any TV shows not pre-approved by the Kim regime are banned in North Korea. Some smugglers pay with their lives for breaches of these strict regulations.
Eventually the two risked their lives, escaping the country via a heavily fortified river crossing into China. Eventually, they were granted an audience with a Japanese diplomat and allowed to enter Japan, where they remain today.
For many of the students and interested observers in attendance, this meeting marked the first time they got to hear a full and unfiltered account of life in “The Hermit Kingdom” straight from the lips of an actual North Korean.
Sharp Aims to Combat Loneliness with Cute AI Powered Robot “Poketomo”
Osaka-based electronics giant Sharp are probably best known for their mobile phones, TVs and kitchen appliances. However, the firm’s latest product is sure to generate plenty of interest across Osaka and beyond.
The “Poketomo” blends the English word pocket and Japanese word “tomodachi”, meaning friend. It is a 12cm tall figure capable of having conversations with its owner. Over time, through data received and visuals recorded from its on-board camera, “Poketomo” will be able to personal the dialogue it has with its owner, allowing for a more fulfilling experience.
The first generation Poketomo, modelled on a puppy dog, is now open for pre-orders in Japan and costs 39,600 yen. More variations will launch soon.
And Finally…
There were scenes of both celebration and chaos in Osaka on the evening of September 8th. Local Baseball powerhouse the Hanshin Tigers once again wrapped up the Central League Title triggering massive celebrations across the city.
Despite police pleas not to do so, 29 exuberant fans lept into Downtown Osaka’s Dotonbori River in celebration. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the celebrations, though certainly exuberant, remained good natured throughout.
Osaka Police had more than 1000 officers on standby to handle the crowds, however, no arrests were recorded and the evening passed off peacefully.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
