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 Braces for Typhoon Impact
Osaka, and western Japan generally is on a state of alert this week, for one of the first major typhoons of the season. The storm is scheduled to make landfall in Kyushu later today (Friday) with heavy rains expected. The storm will pass closest to Osaka on Friday evening, going into Saturday morning.
Experts warn Osaka residents to avoid non-essential travel at this time. Heavy rain with a possibility of localized flooding could bring with it major disruption to both local trains and Shinkansen services across the region.
Typhoons are an annual occurrence in Japan, and the public is well drilled in how to contend with them. However, September, traditionally, represents the peak of the typhoon season, although it can sometimes run into October.
In any case, we can expect a turbulent few weeks of weather to come for Osaka.
Consumer Anxiety as Osaka Feels Impact of Rising Food Prices
According to new data, released this week, the impact of rising food costs hit Osaka harder than any other city in Japan. Government research showed that Osaka spends a higher proportion of monthly income on food than any other city in Japan.
The study uses the Engel coefficient, which is basically the percentage of monthly budget a household spends on food.
Osaka’s average Engel coefficient now sits at 31.2% of the average Osaka household budget now goes on food costs. This makes Osaka the most expensive city in Japan to eat, using this form of measurement. The neighboring City of Kobe also made the top 3 nationally with a coefficient of 29.2%.
The weak yen, and rising material costs have been cited as causes for this alarming trend. However the
City Vows to Clean Up Act as Osaka District Labelled Dirtiest in Japan
We can all agree that one of the most disgusting types of litter one can see on the streets every day is discarded cigarette butts. Many major cities in Japan struggle with this issue, as the nation still retains a higher proportion of smokers than most other developed nations.
However, the impact of this bad habit that refuses to die, impacts in Osaka the most. Specifically in the shopping and nightlife district of Namba. The Chuo Ward area, known for is busy department stores and bustling business centers, was named the worst place in Japan this week, for discarded cigarette butt littering.
It’s thought that the recent city-wide ban on smoking in indoor public spaces may have, inadvertently exacerbated this problem. Local city officials pledged to discuss and consider additional steps to combat the problem.
Naomi Osaka Makes Big Impact with US Open Semi Final Surge
Naomi Osaka had high hopes going into this year’s US Open, despite not having won a major title for several years. Indeed, prior to this week, her last appearance in the last eight of a Grandslam tournament was in 2021’s Australian Open. However, the former world number 1 showed some of the best tennis she’s played in a very long time this week in the US.
At the time of writing, Osaka is preparing for a semi-final showdown with number 8 seed Amanda Anisimova this weekend.
Whilst her recent record in major tournaments is sketchy, Osaka has never lost in a major tournament where she has made the top 8. So, history is on her side as she aims to cap an incredible turnaround in a career that looked all but finished this time last year.
The road back is never easy for former number 1 athletes who have lost their way. However, Osaka is looking and sounding a lot happier than she has in recent times. This newfound positivity, it seems, is now paying off on the court too.
And Finally…
Congratulations to Japan’s national women’s Volleyball team, several of whom hail from Osaka and the surrounding area.
The ladies reached the semi finals of the World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand this past Thursday. They showed both courage and concentration with a battling performance against the Netherlands.
Japan had to come from behind in a tough match, eventually running out 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12 winners.
The success bodes well for a young team still in transition and looking ahead to the next Olympics in 3 years” time.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
