News On Japan

Barrier Installed Under Glico Sign in Osaka to Prevent Loitering

OSAKA, Mar 27 (News On Japan) - A temporary barrier has been installed under the iconic Glico sign in Osaka's bustling Minami district, commonly referred to as "Guri-shita," to prevent people from sitting and loitering in the area.

The structure, completed on March 26th, spans approximately 16.5 meters in width and stands about 2.4 meters tall on both sides of the Dotonbori River.

The fence was erected in anticipation of the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo, with the aim of reducing the risk of young people gathering in the area becoming involved in crime, as well as to discourage littering.

"Many tourists visit here, so we hope this will help create a safe environment where everyone can enjoy sightseeing," said Daisuke Ando, head of the River Division in the Road and River Department of the Osaka City Construction Bureau.

At the same time, Osaka City plans to support young people who have lost their hangout space by providing temporary accommodations and other forms of assistance.

Source: YOMIURI

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan's prison system is undergoing a major shift as it prepares to introduce "confinement punishment," moving away from traditional penal servitude that emphasized punishment toward a new focus on rehabilitation.

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

Eighty years have passed since the Battle of Okinawa, where second-generation Okinawan-Americans, serving as military interpreters, are widely remembered for urging civilians to surrender in their native language, saving countless lives. These interpreters, selected by the U.S. military for their critical role in hastening the end of the war, faced the painful reality of a conflict between their motherland and homeland.

After 77 years, Tokyo is set to return blue skies to Nihonbashi as the city buries its expressways underground and reimagines its historic heart.

The Emperor and Empress attended the Greenery Ceremony, an annual event honoring researchers who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as plant and forest conservation.

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Nearly three months after a road collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, authorities are preparing to resume the search for the missing truck driver as early as next week.

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A woman’s body discovered in a freezer at a residence in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is now believed to have been concealed there for approximately four and a half years, police announced.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."