1. What were your impressions of Osaka before you arrived?
Well, I was told that the entire Kansai region was a far better choice than going to Tokyo due to its rich abundance in traditional japanese culture (Nara, Kyoto, Koya-san, etc... with all its temples, festivals, etc...)

2. What did you know about Osaka?
That it is the 2nd largest city in Japan. And that somewhere near was Kansai Gaidai. Nothing else.

3. Were these thoughts proved to be true when you arrived in Osaka?
Yes.

4 and 5. Have your impressions of Osaka changed since you started to live here? What attracts you to Osaka?
Well, here's where I get to really express my opinion. Well, when I first arrived to Osaka, I was really excited. I was in a completely different country, in a different continent, different Ocean, totally different culture and way of living and way of thinking. Everything was, and still is impressive, surprising, interesesting, sometimes shocking, and I always seem to discover something new.
Everyone is so kind, so respectful and attentive. Although, everything around me was totally different such as the language, the transportation, the food, etc... the kindness of the Kansai people made me feel welcomed and at home (specially, the Matsuura family). I have lived away from my family for too many years and rarely get to see them but there were those who made me feel part of the family.
Yakuza? Well, I live in Nipponbashi and often around Namba I see these guys in their black vans and loud speakers with funny Ricky Ricardo Tupe style hairstyles, yelling and screaming. I see tons of really expensive cars and dudes dressed very well (sometimes ostentatiously) and some dressed like it was mentioned earlier with purple shoes, pink suits, etc... They seem alright. They don't bother me... But then, since the winter started, I have noticed people are just not as nice as they have been up until now. Is it the cold weather? The thing is that they're not even Yakuza, just regular people of all walks of life are just not as kind and polite as they usually are.
On the 4th of January, my company held a huge meeting for everyone. Although, my japanese is still poor, I could understand what the big bosses were giving their speeches about : World War II, Americans firing at Yamato non-stop for 1 hour, USA now waging war with others, the Japanese blood,... bla, bla, bla... turns out that an Australian girl yawned just a bit, and although she covered her mouth, and other japanese were sleeping in the middle of the speeches, this big fish pointed at her and yelled in japanese "don't yell GAIJIN!" he said a few more things I need not mention here, but needless to say it bothered me. Then I found out that this same man had made another foreign girl, who used to work at our company, dance on the table for everyone, while having dinner at a public place with all other co-workers.
Maybe not related to Yakuza in particular, but why is there such a tension (and I don't mean the japanese "high tension" or "low tension") towards foreigners?
So, since then, I now notice how some people look at me sometimes. Something I had never noticed before. What a pity.
Anyway, that is my long post on that.

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Say what you mean, and mean what you say!