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There are numerous accents in Japan even though these are quite similar to each other. A snobbery also exists among those. There are two on top of a hierarchy, the Tokyo accent (standard) and the Osaka accent. The others are found as dialect and take the piss out of those who speak them. Therefore, they always hide their accent and speak the Tokyo accent as though they are from Tokyo.
People understand the Tokyo accent is standard and regard with respect seen as official news in Japan always use it or children in school are taught how to speak it and read stories in Japanese class with that accent.
Then why Osaka accent has such prestige? I think because of the unique characteristics of the people in addition to the strong accent as if they are quarreling. Since I am from Osaka and came to Tokyo for a univ degree, most of my friends from Tokyo asked me to speak the Osaka accent. I have never turned the request down but speak with confidence as it is the best accent in the world. It is apparent that people from Osaka in Tokyo are so stubborn (sticky to the accent) that they never fail to be assimilated to Tokyo accent at all. That is an indicator for me to distinguish those who are from my hometown (Osaka) and the others.