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.
JR Central Confirms Controversial AI Passenger Study for January
If you’re someone who cares a lot about your own digital privacy, you may want to avoid taking the Shinkansen to and from Osaka next month.
JR Central, which operates services out of Shin-Osaka Station, confirmed the go ahead of an AI passenger study for next month.
Special cameras, installed in cars 1,6 and 8 of the Nozomi Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo will record a host of different data sets.
The study will take place from January 10th to 16th 2026.
These data sets relate to passenger identity. Aspects such as gender, travel group size, types of luggage and whether the passengers are inbound tourists or not.
JR Central confirmed this week that facial recognition will be part of this data gathering process.
Passengers Opposed to AI Facial Recording Raise Security Concerns
Unlike many other developed nations where security recordings and cameras are a regular and expected occurrence in daily life, many Japanese still remain deeply protective of their privacy.
As such, the proposed AI study has raised a number of concerns among commuters. Critics seemed to fall into two distinct camps this week. Firstly, we have those who are opposed to the increasing societal dependance on AI, often at the expense of human intuition and common sense.
There then privacy advocates. They question both the merits of the study itself, and the necessity to record passengers faces.
However, JR Central haven’t exactly been receptive to these twin-bored criticisms.
Addressing passenger privacy concerns a JR Central spokesperson said rather succinctly this week: “We advise passengers who do not want their faces recorded to avoid the carriages in question during the study.
Popular Osaka Ferry the Latest Casualty of Diplomatic Spat
It seems lately, that with every passing week, the simmering tensions between the Japanese and Chinese governments only increase. Unfortunately, as is usually the case in such circumstances, those bearing the biggest brunt of this cold war or sorts are regular-sized and smaller businesses.
The latest victim of the tit-for-tat exchanges between Japan and China this week is a ferry service linking Shanghai with Osaka and its near neighbor Kobe.
The Osaka-based firm which overseas the running of the ferry, known as the Jian Zhen Hao, announced an indefinite freeze on services, and immediate refunds for all passengers who had bought tickets.
The ferry only resumed full service this past June, after 5 years of limited or no service in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Frustration is growing on both sides of this argument. Chinese tourists are unhappy they cannot go ahead with their holiday plans. Conversely, local business in Osaka, Kobe and other ports that benefited from the regular footfall of tourists continue to feel the pinch.
Neither Prime Minister Takaichi, nor her Chinese counterparts show any signs of backing down in this row. Less than 2 months into her premiership, this dispute and the economic and diplomatic fall-out it has brought may well come to define her time in power.
Osaka Foreign Residents Rush to Extend Visas, as Price Hike Looms
Chinese aren’t the only foreigners in Osaka unhappy with the Japanese government at the moment. Many amongst Osaka’s foreign popular are concerned at the massive hike in visa application, extension and changeover fees, set to come into force next year.
At the moment, a typical extension costs 4,000 yen per year, with a permanent residency application costing 8,000 yen per year. Under the new proposals, the cost of renewal could increase to 40,000 yen, with permanent residency permits costing over 100,000 yen.
The government claims these fee hikes will bring Japan in line with other countries of similar economic size. They also claim the extra revenue generating will be reinvested in helping foreign residents better integrate into Japanese society.
Most foreign residents remain unconvinced though. The general consensus is that this whole thing is just the latest in a long line of “foreigner-bashing” from the Takaichi government to appease nationalist extremists and prevent any further loss of votes to the radical right wing Sanseito Party.
And Finally…
One of the most realistic and beloved depictions of Osaka in video games is set for a glorious return next week.
SEGA will launch the new Directors Cut of Yakuza Zero, Known as Ryu Ga Gotoku Zero in Japan, next week for Playstation 5, PC and Xbox.
The game features series protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in their earlier days, with a story set in 1988.
The Majima portion of the story however focusses almost exclusively on Osaka. The fictional “Sotembori” district plays a stand-in for the real-life Dotonbori nightlife district.
Visitors to Osaka will notice several local landmarks and nostalgic markers throughout the game’s 20 hour story.
One side mission even sees our hero Majima accosted by the notorious “Osaka Obasan”, an older lady with a fiery temper, and something of a local stereotype.
Yakuza 0: Directors Cut launches on December 15th.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
