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.
Amid China Row, May Tourist Numbers Drop
Traditionally, the May Golden Week Holiday is one of the busiest times of the year for both domestic and international tourism in Osaka. However, an ongoing diplomatic row with China, one of Osaka’s primary sources for tourism, continues to cast a long shadow.
Statistics released this week by tourism industry leaders point to a drop in overall tourist numbers. However, there’s little avoiding the fact that the main driver of this dip in numbers is the row between Japan’s Prime Minister and her Chinese counterparts.
The drop in international tourist numbers compared to May 2025 was a modest 3.6% nationally.
However, looking at Chinese tourists in isolation, the number of visitors from Japan’s largest economic partner crashed by more than 60% based on a year ago.
Thankfully for Osaka, increases in visitors from the US, UK and the emerging market that is the Middle East went some way to filling in the gap.
However, these is no denying that the chilling of relations between Asia’s two most powerful economies is having a negative impact on both countries. Though such details are usually not disclosed by the secretive state that is China, experts believe there to be a similar drop off in the numbers of Japanese visiting the country.
Row Unlikely to End Soon
The row goes back to last autumn, when newly elected Sanae Takaichi provoked anger by suggesting Japan would have to intervene in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Though it operates as a de-facto independent country, China’s ruling Communist Party continues to view Taiwan as a rogue province that will, either through negotiation or force, be absorbed back into China in the near future.
Domestically, Takaichi continues to enjoy favorable approval ratings, with many Japanese voters citing her “tough and uncompromising” stance on China as key to this popularity.
Neither side seems likely to back down any time soon. Chinese hopes that the problem may take care of itself were soon dashed when Takaichi led the LDP to a landslide victory in the recent General Election.
Osaka District Court Hears Case in Row Over Online Slurs
The Osaka District Court this week heard the opening arguments in the case of Osaka Local Assemblywoman Risa Kawakami.
Kawakami was born male, but legally changed her status to female in 2005. She has lived as a woman for over 20 years.
LGBT members of local government are usually a less contentious issue in Japan, where there is a quiet acceptance of gender diversity, albeit without the legal framework to enshrine such tolerance.
However, Ms Kawakami was subjected to a sustained campaign of online abuse from the defendant in this case. Among other insults, the man in his 50s claimed Kawakami was “a fake assembly member disguised as a woman” and “a hopeless cross-dressing pervert.”
Kawakami seeks 2 million yen in damages for the slurs, which were widely disseminated online.
I her opening statement to the court, Kawakami said:
“I felt as if my right to live and my existence as a human being were being denied. Abusive comments posted online are widely disseminated, spreading throughout society and repeatedly reaching me. I want people to understand that defamation is an issue that concerns everyone.”
Osaka Stars Lead Charge as Japan aims for World Cup Knockout Stages
Japan’s 2026 World Cup campaign got off to a solid start earlier this week. The Samurai Blues twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with group favorites The Netherlands. They now have the chance to all but confirm passage to the knockout stages this weekend.
Japan face Tunisia on Sunday afternoon. The African side’s own World Cup hopes hang by a thread after they were comprehensively beaten 5-1 by Sweden in their own opening game last weekend.
However, with the likes of Cape Verde, Egypt and South Africa having already achieved shock success against stronger nations in this tournament, Japan can take nothing for granted.
The match will also see Osaka’s Daizen Maeda line up against a familiar face. His Celtic team-mate Sebastien Tounekti is part of the Tunisia squad, though he isn’t expected to start the match.
And Finally
A new luxury travel option for visitors to Tokyo and Osaka was unveiled this week.
In something of a throwback to the hotel-like trains of yesteryear, The Shinkansen route from Osaka to Tokyo will begin offering private rooms to passengers for a premium fee.
The room will cost 42,100 yen (including the base ticket fare of around 14,000).
In the event of two people travelling together, the second occupant will only need to pay the additional standard fare on top of the 42,100 yen room rate.
The service will start it’s limited initial roll-out on October 1st.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of This Week in Osaka!
