Osaka's "Dokkan" Pipe Incident: A Giant Eruption on Shin-Midosuji Sparks Viral Humor
On March 11, an extraordinary incident unfolded on Shin-Midosuji, a major thoroughfare in Kita Ward, Osaka City, as a giant pipe unexpectedly erupted from the road surface. In response to this unforeseen event, the unique phrase “Dokan ga Dokkan!” (The pipe went BOOM!) instantly trended on social media, capturing widespread attention from users. The site of the incident was a section of Shin-Midosuji, west of the Umeda Center Building and past EST. It is believed that the pipe ascended approximately 10 meters during sewage pipe construction, causing extensive traffic congestion. However, many commented that it was a “blessing in disguise” as the pipe rose in a precarious position, narrowly missing the elevated tracks of JR and Shin-Midosuji. By evening, there were reports that the pipe had been “considerably lowered,” indicating that restoration work was proceeding at a rapid pace. Eyewitnesses, particularly residents of Osaka Prefecture, inundated social media with posts featuring the...