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
Doctor’s Appeal Rejected by High Court
An Osaka doctor had his 18 year sentence for murder confirmed this week, as the Osaka High Court rejected his appeal. Toshikazu Okubo, a 46 year old physician from Kyoto, was charged after the death of one of his patients. He did not deny administering a lethal dose of sedatives to his patient, 51-year-old Yuri Hayashi, at her apartment in 2019. However, this is no ordinary case. At the heart of Okubo’s appeal was the constitutionality of “consensual killing”. Hayashi, suffered from ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease. This degenerative condition is incurable, and the time from diagnosis to death is, typically, around 2 years. Hayashi wished to “go out on her own terms” so to speak. So, she asked Okubo to end her suffering, before he condition inevitably did so anyway.
However, Japan does not have any established protocols relating to euthanasia for humans. Indeed the topic of “assisted dying” remains a political hot potato worldwide.
Appeal Rules Criminal Conviction “Not Unconstitutional”
At the center of Okubo’s appeal was the question of constitutional compliance. His counsel contended that criminally penalizing him for helping a dying person carry out their final request was in violation of Japan’s constitutional right to “self-determination”.
However, the Osaka High Court rejected this argument. In its appeal judgement, the court decreed that the constitution “safeguards the right to life.” However it “does not provide for the right to request assistance to end one’s life”.
Presiding Judge Hidenori Nagai was also highly critical of Okubo’s medical conduct. He said that evidence, heard in the original trial and appeal, confirmed Okubo accepted Hayashi’s request based entirely on a single, 15 minute consultation. He did not carry out further medical checks, or reconfirm with Hayashi that she was of sound mind in making her request.
Judge Nagai ruled, therefore, that a custodial sentence was the only option in this case. He upheld the lower court’s decision to sentence Okubo to 18 years in prison.
Missing Zoo Food Prompts Appeal to Police
Osaka Prefectural Police intervened in a somewhat bizarre theft case this week. Tennoji Zoo made an appeal to the authorities for help, after uncovering evidence of stolen animal feed.
According to reports, zoo staff found significant quantities of fruits and vegetables, intended to feed animals, had gone missing from the kitchen area.
Police sent papers this week after investigating the case. A zoo staff member, had their bag searched on October 1st. Fruits and Vegetables were found in the staffer’s possession. A stock check confirmed these items matched missing inventory from the zoo’s kitchen.
Although police have submitted papers in the case, it remains to be seen what, if any criminal charges will follow. A representative of Tennoji Zoo said the bizarre case was “definitely a first in our history”. They also did not rule out disciplinary action against the staffer, in addition to whatever action police decide to take. The suspect has not given a motive. However, it is not believed they were in financial difficulty, or otherwise struggling to feed themselves.
And Finally…
Passengers flying out of Osaka, your appeals have been heard!
After a five year absence, Peach Aviation, a Low Cost Carrier operating out of Kansai Airport, announce the return of their hot food menu this week. Of particular interest to Osaka travelers is the reappearance of takoyaki on the menu. This beloved Osaka delicacy, consisting of balls of octopus meat in a soft batter, topped off with sauce, was one of Peach’s most popular inflight meals. However, concerns over food waste, led the airline to discontinue hot food services on short and medium-haul flights in 2019.
The onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic exacerbated this further.
However, after considerable demand from customers, the dish will return on December 1st.
However, with hygiene and cleanliness in mind, the in-flight takoyaki will not feature bonito flakes. These dried fish fragments can get messy, and the odor isn’t ideal for a concealed environment such as an airplane cabin.
Peach currently offers flights from Kansai to other major hubs in Japan. They also serve much of eastern Asia, with regular flights to Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan, amongst their most popular. However, as an LCC, Peach confirmed passengers will need to pay an additional 900 yen per serving to enjoy the new takoyaki. Still, most agree, it’s a small price to pay!
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
