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
School Lunch Hygiene Under Scrutiny
Osaka City’s mayor was forced into an embarrassing apology this week, after a string of disgusting discoveries in elementary school lunches.
According to local reports, there have been a series of recurring hygiene problems with elementary school lunches across Osaka City since April this year.
The mayor, Hideyuki Yokoyama, said at a meeting of Osaka Municipal Assembly’s education and children committee this week: “I take this very seriously and deeply apologize.”
School Lunch Problems Linked to Change in Supplier
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many schools have noticed a significant drop in standards since a new supplier took over supplying elementary school meals on April 1st of this year, with the start of the new school year.
One school principal, reported to the committee his comments after a “taste test” on April 3rd.
He said: “The rice was not cooked properly. The pork also smelled oily. None of our teachers could finish the meal.”
This should have been a warning sign for the board of education, however incident reports continued to come in over the following days.
The Osaka branch of the national newspaper The Mainichi Shimbun compiled a timeline of incidents related to school meals since April 1st:
These included: A delay of 15 minutes caused by a staffer not knowing how to use the fryer.
Dishes that were wet or with sticky rice and dirt on them, leading the principal to cancel serving side dishes excluding bread and milk.
After cutting a cooking glove, staff concluded there was no further contamination and resumed meal preparation. Hair found in rice.
A teacher found a staff member handling pizza after touching a trash can, leading to the disposal of the food.
Rice resembled porridge and so needed recooked.
In light of this series of unacceptable incidents, some schools are considering having students bring their own lunches. Meanwhile, local lawmaker Hiromi Fuchikami, who is on the aforementioned children’s committee of the regional assembly called for the new supplier to have their contract terminated at the earliest opportunity. The mayor has, thus far, not ruled this out.
School Kids Feel the Heat at Crowded Expo
It wasn’t just school lunches that came up short for Osaka’s elementary school kids this week. Many students also expressed disappointment after recent school trips to the Osaka World Expo 2025.
Students complained that there was no shaded seating areas to sit in during lunch break. They also said that the event was too crowded, lines were too long and they wee especially annoyed at only being allowed to enter certain pavilions two at a time.
Many schools accepted offers for free tickets for the event this year, in a bid to boost local enthusiasm for the event. However, many schools opted not to attend. Additionally, feedback from school students who have attended thus far has been, at best, mixed.
It seems the expo still has some teething problems to overcome, as we approach the summer holidays.
Two More National Leaders Announce Expo Visit Plans
In a further boost for the Osaka Expo’s international profile, the leaders of both Bulgaria and Austria will visit the event later this month. Bulgaria’s premier Rumen Radev will begin his 5 day visit to Japan on Saturday.
Austrian leader, Alexander Van der Bellen will arrive in Japan next Wednesday.
In addition to visiting the Expo, both leaders will also meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Emperor Naruhito during their time in Japan.
And Finally…
There’s been a kidnapping!
Myaku-Myaku, the Osaka Expo’s bizarre yet somehow adorable mascot character has gone missing from the event’s Baltic Pavillion.
The Lithuanian ambassador to Japan, Aurelijus Zykas made the following, concerned post on their official social media accounts: “Very sadly, hardworking Myaku-Myaku at the Baltic Pavilion suddenly disappeared. Any idea where Myaku-Myaku is now?” Staff believe the multi-eyed mascot model went missing sometime on Tuesday of this week.
Security camera footage appeared to show two people taking the figure on Tuesday. Expo staff have asked for the mascot’s swift and peaceful return. There has so far been no response or ransom demands issued by the kidnappers.
I’m sure I speak for all at Osaka.com when I say that we all hope Myaku-Myaku is returned home safely soon!
Despite initially being dismissed as “creepy” and “weird”, the unusual Osaka Expo Mascot has built up quite a popular following. Myaku-Myaku merchandise continues to sell well and remains in high demand across the Expo’s various merchandise outlets.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
