Unfortunately I don't have Ladefoged's SOWL with me, and I can't recall offhand what he said. The sound is definitely lateral, at least in Kansai dialect. Impressionistically, it sounds rather central and retroflex before an /i/, but strongly lateral before an /o/. Perhaps it's a retroflex lateral flap?? I can't substantiate the change right now, so revert if you like.  04:39, 2005 Jun 9 (UTC)