author

 
 

Meta

Osamu Tsukimori
For Osamu Tsukimori's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 14, 2020
Coronavirus antibodies disappear in months. Is that a cause for concern?
Research has poured cold water on the optimism of those who have been working around the clock to produce vaccines against the disease.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 11, 2020
Eyes on the skies: SkyDrive plans to launch flying cars in three years
The human race is about to witness another mobility revolution, according to the former Toyota Motor Corp. engineer who now heads the ambitious startup.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 28, 2020
Japanese automakers eye e-fuel as alternative to EVs
Europe has been looking at carbon neutral e-fuel and plans to have it play a crucial role in many modes of transport, from planes and ships to large trucks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
Jul 20, 2020
Telework surge leaves employees and their firms more vulnerable to cyberattack than ever, expert warns
Employees at home are suddenly being targeted for corporate access by email phishing, website spoofing and fake software posing as Zoom.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Jul 16, 2020
Japan’s phaseout plan forces utilities to rethink reliance on coal
After the Fukushima disaster woke Japan to the dangers of atomic power, utilities went back to coal. Now what will they do?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 6, 2020
Japan restaurateur looks to AI-based management to stay ahead of curve in virus-battered industry
Entrepreneur sees a chance for AI-based program to thrive if industry abandons its low-margin, high-turnover business model.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Jun 25, 2020
The race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and Japan's place in it
With more than 140 coronavirus measures in development and 13 undergoing trials, hopes are being pinned on one being approved in the near future.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / EXPLAINER
May 24, 2020
New lows: What do near-negative oil prices mean for Japan's economy?
The benchmark U.S. oil price fell below zero last month for the first time in history.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 23, 2020
Web-conferencing biz booming as pandemic sends Japan's workers online
Japan’s biggest power producer, Jera Co., holds executive and other important meetings on the internet and, except for power plant personnel, about 1,300 of the 1,700 employees at its headquarters and branch offices worked from home last week in response to the government’s call to curb social interaction to slow the novel coronavirus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2020
Flying low: The battle over Tokyo’s airspace
Haneda Airport's new flight paths commence despite concerns from aviation experts and public opposition.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 26, 2020
Harnessing the power of AI: Japanese delivery firms and restaurants look to tech to boost businesses
In the midst of a surge in demand as more people shop online, the parcel delivery sector is struggling to keep up due to a chronic shortage of drivers. Meanwhile, restaurants are struggling to find ways to reduce waste in an industry notorious for razor-thin profit margins.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
Fears over coronavirus prompt surge in telecommuting across Japan
The NTT group, Yahoo Japan and GMO Internet are among the companies trying to reduce the risk of their employees contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2020
Concerns linger as tests of new Haneda routes over Tokyo wrap up
The transport ministry said Thursday it has completed tests for new flight paths to Haneda Airport, which involved arriving aircraft flying over central Tokyo at a low altitude for the first time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2020
2020 Olympics fuel race to monetize autonomous driving
One day in December, a self-driving bus in Gunma completed an 18-km run from Maebashi to Shibukawa and back, dropping fare-paying passengers off at designated stops and navigating public roads.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 5, 2020
Robot-maker ZMP targets tractors, taxis and carts for elderly
Robot-maker ZMP Inc. is aiming to launch the first commercial level 3 automated bus operation in Japan at an airport in 2020.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 2, 2020
With coal under fire, 2020 could be a big year for wind power in Japan
One day, resource-deprived Japan may no longer have to import its energy, nor rely on nuclear power or coal, thanks to a renewable source with vast potential: offshore wind power.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 13, 2019
Tokyo taxi firms tie up to offer autonomous driving experience for foreign visitors
A consortium of companies is offering foreign visitors in Tokyo a taste of autonomous driving, in the world's first demonstration of a project that uses both an airport shuttle bus and a self-driving taxi to provide smooth travel from the airport to the Marunouchi shopping district near Tokyo Station.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2019
Narita and Haneda, the major airports serving Tokyo, set for large-scale capacity boost ahead of 2020 Olympics
The Tokyo area's two international gateways are looking to push Japan's soaring tourist numbers even higher while also putting their Asian rivals on notice by adding more international flights ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2019
Tokyo Motor Show gets kid-friendly, future-oriented reboot in bid to reverse flagging attendance
The 46th Tokyo Motor Show slated to kick off Thursday will not just focus on futuristic, cutting-edge vehicles, such as self-driving cars, it will also shine a light on unconventional mobility devices and exhibitions for children aimed at reversing flagging attendance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 21, 2019
Japan rushes to establish LNG bunkering hub as environmental rules push global fleet to natural gas
A U.N.-led call for action to tighten sulfur oxide emissions may also be a trigger accelerating a shift to natural gas as fuel for the global shipping fleet, and Japan is wasting no time trying to establish a refueling hub in Asia.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores