In Osaka station, remaining roofs will be replaced by transparent roofs in order to save landscape and to avoid being soaked in rain
http://www.asahi.com/travel/rail/news/OSK201105200173.html(asahi.com)
The big roof covering all the platforms were recently furnished above Osaka station in Osaka,Japan.
In the planning stage, conventional roofs was to be removed to make it look like European major railway stations. But, after the construction, it was revealed that the newly constructed big roof no longer prevents rain from droping on the platforms. So, JR west changed the plan. JR west decided to replace the roofs for transparent roofs.
Replacement of the roofs will be started after detecting the soaking areas during rainy seasons called Tsuyu.
In Japan, we can rarely see a station whose roof covers whole the stations. Then, Osaka station should have been a rare structure station in Japan.
I think the roofs can't be removed if rain were not to soak on the platform, because passengers would be exposed in danger if the newly constructed roof broke*1.
http://www.asahi.com/travel/rail/gallery_e/view_photo.html?news-pg/OSK201105190043.jpg
Picture of current platforms(provided by asahi.com)
http://www.asahi.com/travel/rail/gallery_e/view_photo.html?news-pg/OSK201105190036.jpg
Drawing based on the original plan (provided by asahi.com)
*1:part of the roof is made of glass.
