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.
Bento Box Trash Repurposed as Energy Source
Osaka Gas announced an interesting new energy venture this week. The utility company debuted a new process for creating a new source of biofuel energy. The source? Old bento boxes.
The issue of plastic bento boxes and their extremely environmentally unfriendly material has vexed scientists across Japan for years.
However, Osaka Gas claimed this week that they may have found a solution to this problem. The fact that it also gives a helping hand to those struggling with surging energy demands is, apparently, a happy coincidence.
The process involved the collection of around 1,000 used bento boxes from an Osaka canteen late last year. These were then decomposed and broken down into lactic acid, via an accelerated process. This acid was then added to sewage sludge at another Osaka facility. The outcome of this rather stomach-churning experiment was a new form of biogas. The biogas has several applications as a potential energy source.
It seems there may be some truth to the old adage that one man trash is another man’s treasure after all!
Osaka Gas did not disclose the exact amount of fuel produced by this initial experiment. As such, it remains uncertain as to whether the process could be upscaled to an industrial level anytime soon.
However, as a purely “proof of concept” measure, this is certainly a step in the right direction.
Osaka Consumers Remain Cautious Amid Energy Price Concerns
With the “on-again, off-again” nature of the latest conflict in the Middle-East, Osaka’s position as one of Japan’s major port terminals leaves it especially vulnerable to the current choking of global trade.
We reported earlier that some manufacturers including industry giants Mitsubishi had downsized their plastics production output in the wake of the Iran conflict.
No further measures have been announced in the weeks since. Still, local analysts remain concerned that the ongoing instability will have a long-term impact on Osaka’s economy.
The recent influx of tourists for the Golden Week holiday period brought an economic “shot in the arm” to Osaka. However, economic vulnerabilities remain, with analysts predicting a turbulent summer, especially if ongoing hostilities, both between Japan and China, and within the wider global context continue unabated.
The yen remains at its weakest trading position for several months, amid the uncertainty. Again though, this does make Osaka a more attractive option for visitors from abroad. So, despite the gloomy outlook, analysts insist there are still a few silver linings here and there.
Osaka Hero Maeda Shows Renewed Hunger and Energy as Title Challenge Heads to Final Day
In sports news, Osaka-born soccer star Daizen Maeda, currently plying his trade in Scotland with defending champions Celtic, grabbed headlines over the past week. His goal in Sunday’s Glasgow Derby, hailed by pundits as the greatest in this Derby’s 14-year history, moved Celtic to within 1 point of leaders Hearts. Maeda’s spectacular overhead kick not only gave renewed energy to Celtic’s title challenge, it also mathematically ended any remote hopes their city rivals Rangers had of winning the league. It’s now down to either Hearts or Celtic for this seasons SPFL Premiership Trophy.
Both frontrunners won their penultimate games on Wednesday night. Maeda was on the scoresheet again, as Celtic edged past Motherwell by the narrowest of margins.
With the scores tied at 2-2 Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 7th minute of injury time at the end of the game. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up and slotted home the kick to ensure a final day showdown between Celtic and Hearts.
Celtic have home advantage for Saturday’s final game, but need to win to retain the championship. Hearts know that either a draw or a victory will give them their first league title in over 60 years.
Whatever happens, it seems Daizen Maeda will have a key role to play in deciding the destiny of this year’s Scottish Premiership title.
And Finally…
While one Osaka sports star was slugging it out on the soccer pitch, another was busy partying at one of the world’s best-known events for celebrity excess.
Naomi Osaka was in attendance at the popular New York fundraising event The Met Gala. Known for the elaborate and at times outrageous costumes of its celebrity guests, Osaka was only too happy to show that same energy with her own stunning display.
The former tennis star left fashionistas in awe, and the rest of us a bit bemused, with her truly bizarre outfit. Her oversized white dress and hat, looked like a failed attempt at some kind of giant meringue. The whole display was adorned with blood red feathers and what can only be described as talon-like gloves also decked out in the same crimson coating.
Well, fashion isn’t for everyone I guess.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
