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.
Quake Causes Widespread Disruption, Travel Delays in Osaka
Osaka felt the tremors of a major Earthquake which shook nearby Shimane Prefecture this week. The 6.2 Magnitude quake rattled the western coastline of southern Japan on Tuesday morning. A series of aftershocks also followed.
Japan uses its own scale of 0-7 to quantify the strength and destructive potential of earthquakes. So, 6.2 equates to a very strong quake in this regard.
Neighboring prefectures were jolted by the quake and its aftershocks which registered in the 4 and 5 magnitude range.
Osaka, which lies a couple of hundred kilometers away from the quake epicenter in this case was still impacted significantly. Tremors in the range of magnitude 3 emanated around the city throughout Tuesday. Experts warn they may be more to com in the weeks ahead.
Quake Compounds Travel Frustrations as Millions Return to Work
There were no reports of any serious injuries in and around Osaka City. However, the biggest impact hit the travel sector. Monday and Tuesday of this week marked the end of the annual New Year holiday period. As such shinkansen trains in and out of Osaka remained at peak capacity throughout the day.
However, the quake and its aftershocks led to a series of service suspensions. Shinkansen routes between Osaka and Hiroshima stopped around 10am. In addition to a power failure caused by the quake, JR staff also had to carry out a series of safety checks before normal services resumed. A reduced service began at 1pm on Tuesday, with full services resuming shortly after.
Although many travellers had their plans disrupted by the quake, the impact was lessened by the fact it happened on Tuesday. By this time the peak of commuter numbers had already passed. Typically the busiest day for such travel is the first Sunday after the new year, as workers return to their places of work ahead of a Monday or Tuesday return to the office.
Police Arrest Driver as Boy Killed Outside Osaka 7-Eleven
Tragedy struck the City of Higashiosaka, just outside Osaka City on Tuesday afternoon. A 15-year-old boy died after he was hit by a vehicle outside his local 7-Eleven convenience store.
Police arrested the 70-year-old driver of the van involved in the incident at the scene.
Eyewitness reports suggest that the van surged forward, pinning the boy, who was standing in the stores bicycle parking area between the van and a wall, crushing him.
The victim was unconscious as paramedics arrived, but sadly pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital.
The driver of the van was arrest on suspicion of causing death by negligent driving. He was identified as Kiyotake Sakaguchi, a 70-year-old company worker from nearby Shijonawate.
In statements given to police at the scene, Sakaguchi claimed he mistook the accelerator for the break, causing his car to lurch forward and hit the victim.
Sadly, such incidents continue to increase year by year across Japan, as the number of elderly drivers continues to surge. The debate as to what to do about people whose ageing may have diminished their ability to drive properly remains a divisive one in Osaka and indeed around Japan.
On one hand, some argue that having people on the road whose faculties may be impaired is a danger to all drivers. Conversely though, there are those that argue that elderly citizens, particularly those in rural areas, where public transport is often infrequent depend on their cars as their only effective means of transportation.
It’s a debate that shows no signs of ending, as Osaka’s first road accident fatality of the year was confirmed.
And Finally…
Another beneficial legacy project of the 2025 Osaka World Expo became public this week. Organizers announced that a collection of coral skeletons, which formed part of the Saudi Arabian Pavilion at the event, will go towards conservation efforts in Okinawa.
The coral skeletons, made of calcium carbonite and produced using a 3D printer will form part of a wider project to restore coral reefs in the region. The University of the Ryukyus received 150 specimens from the Saudis this week and will place them in coral areas around the Okinawan coastline this year. Kansai University will also work alongside their colleagues in Okinawa to conduct research on the impact of these artificial reefs on the local ecosystem.
They hope to present positive findings as part of Japan’s participation in the Riyadh World Expo in 2030, as a thank you to the Saudis for their help in the conservation effort.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
