In Daito City, Osaka Prefecture, illegal activities surrounding the weekly Sunday “Chinese-style morning market” persist despite repeated crackdowns, prompting police intervention to address the issue.
Chinese-Style Morning Market Sparks Debate, but Illegal Activities Infuriate Residents
Hualong Foods, a Chinese grocery store in Daito City, typically sees modest customer traffic. But come Sunday, it transforms into a bustling market reminiscent of scenes in China. Over two decades ago, the owner—originally from China—began selling breakfast items, gradually drawing in members of the local Chinese community. It eventually evolved into a highly popular gathering spot.
Chinese customer: “The taste is amazing—just like back home! I've lived in Japan for 25 years, and this morning market has been beloved since day one.”
However, frequent disturbances around the market have drawn complaints from residents: “The noise from all the stalls is unbearable. Everyone has given up trying to manage it—I've given up too.”
Nearby restaurant owner: “When we remind them to be mindful, they end up yelling at us instead. It's a real headache—we're past being angry, we're just resigned to it now.”
Reporter's On-Site Visit: Chaos at the Morning Market
A reporter from Kansai TV visited the Sunday morning market in Daito City.
Despite the early hour and sparse traffic on the main road, over 50 customers had already gathered at the market. Lively Chinese chatter filled both inside and outside the shops. According to Associate Professor Kumami of Ritsumeikan University, the area surrounding the market is home to many Chinese residents living in nearby public housing complexes, attracting significant foot traffic over the years.
Illegal Parking and Street Vending
Reporters observed rampant illegal roadside parking due to insufficient nearby parking facilities.
“Nineteen vehicles were parked illegally, occupying one lane of the dual carriageway.”
Worse still, some parked in lots belonging to unrelated shops:
Reporter: “This is a secondhand store's parking lot. Are you aware?”
Morning market customer: “I know (laughs), but the store isn't open yet. Should be fine, right?”
A McDonald's located 100 meters from the market has also hired security guards since June to address illegal parking issues.
Illegal Vendor: “Doesn't Speak Japanese” Yet Claims to Be a Resident of Tōkyō
What troubles residents even more is the issue of illegal street vending.
Reporter: “Signs prohibiting illegal street vending line the roadside, yet many ignore them completely and still set up their wares along the street.”
Police revealed that most vendors around the morning market operate without permits.
Reporter: “Do you know it's illegal to sell here?”
Vendor: “It's my first time here. I didn't know.”
Reporter: “Why did you come here?”
Vendor: “I don't know. I don't speak Japanese.”
However, when the reporter changed the subject and asked, “Where are you from?”
Vendor: “I'm a citizen of Daito City.”
Reporter: “Did you make these beans yourself?”
Vendor: “Yes, these are called ‘yardlong beans’ in Chinese.”
Reporter: “But you can speak Japanese!”
Vendor: “Just a little bit!”
As soon as the police arrived, the vendors and illegally parked vehicles quickly vanished.
The police broadcasted: “This is Tsurumi Police Station. Those parked on the roadside, please move your vehicles immediately.”
Reporters observed that within minutes of police vehicles arriving, over 20 illegally parked vehicles swiftly departed. The unauthorized vendors likewise hastily packed up their stalls and vanished without a trace.
Police issued warnings to the remaining vendors: “You cannot set up stalls on the road. We've told you this repeatedly—don't pretend you didn't hear. This constitutes obstruction of traffic. The signs are in Chinese—it's hard to believe you can't understand them!”
Facing police enforcement, some vendors appeared unfazed, even leisurely smoking cigarettes in plain sight. Authorities reportedly issued three warnings that day.
Morning Market Operator: Individual Actions, Not Our Responsibility
Regarding the issue of illegal vendors, a staff member from Hualong Food responded: “These vendors have nothing to do with us; it's individual behavior. We all know each other, so it's really hard to enforce a strict ban.”
Regarding illegal parking, he stated, “We hope people will pay to use the parking lot, but there's little we can do.”
The reporter pressed further: “Are there any countermeasures?”
“None. No measures for now.”
Chinese-style morning markets have sparked community conflicts due to illegal parking and unlicensed street vending. To achieve harmonious coexistence with residents, standardized usage and management have become an urgent priority.
