The Day of the Dotonbori Stabbings and the Horigima Double Silver

On February 15, editorial attention in Japan shifted from post-election politics to a violent incident in Osaka. From mid-afternoon, major outlets provided rolling coverage of a stabbing near the Dotonbori River that left one 17-year-old dead and two others injured. By late evening and early morning, the narrative focused on the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect associated with the 'Guri-ge' subculture, who partially denied intent to kill. Simultaneously, the Milan-Cortina Olympics remained a top priority. Editors highlighted Ren Nikaido’s silver medal in the ski jump large hill, marking his third medal of the games. By mid-day, coverage transitioned to Ikuma Horigima, who secured silver in the debut dual moguls event, his second medal of the games following a previous bronze. In the political sphere, conservative outlets analyzed the Takaichi administration’s 69% approval rating and the rejection of 'criticism-oriented' opposition, while diplomatic reporting noted the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s formal protest against Chinese statements regarding Taiwan made at the Munich Security Conference.