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Tomohiro Osaki

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Tomohiro Osaki

Tomohiro Osaki is a staff writer in the Domestic News Division. A graduate of Sophia University in Tokyo, he likes to explore under-reported realities of Japanese youth, with a tendency toward the taboo.

JAPAN

Oct 24, 2018

Tokyo confirms release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda after three years of captivity in Syria

The government's top spokesman attributed Yasuda's release to efforts by an anti-terrorism intelligence unit in Tokyo, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thanking Qatar and Turkey “for their great cooperation.”

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 24, 2018

Abe underscores push to clean up Japan's postwar diplomatic rows in opening speech to Diet

The prime minister emphasized his determination to ensure the return of citizens abducted by North Korean agents and the signing of a peace treaty with Russia.

JAPAN

Oct 23, 2018

150 years on, Abe calls for 'emulation' of Meiji Era bravery to overcome Japan's modern crises

Abe praised the steps ancestors took toward reinventing Japan and likened their “brave” fight against the rise of the West to current challenges, including a rapidly shrinking population.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Oct 21, 2018

Abe-Xi summit comes as Chinese leader looks to create united front amid U.S. trade war

At the upcoming summit in Beijing, President Shinzo Abe and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may form a united front in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist moves.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 18, 2018

Japan's only female minister, Satsuki Katayama, hit by allegation she was paid to influence tax agency

A weekly magazine alleged that Katayama was paid to use her bureaucratic standing to get a tax break for a business owner in 2015.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 18, 2018

As international order languishes, experts at G1 Global Conference discuss Japan's new role as global 'stabilizer'

In a world increasingly fragmented by U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, Japan should take on the role as the world's new "stabilizer" by committing to the landmark Paris accord on climate change and keeping a multilateral trade regime from falling apart in the absence of the United...

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 11, 2018

Japan's top government spokesman denies Trump asked Abe to 'strongly consider' giving casino license to one of his benefactors

Yoshihide Suga responded tersely to an investigative report during a regular press briefing, referring to Abe's past denial in the Diet of the allegation.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 4, 2018

Top Japanese government spokesman denies reports Abe is wavering on submission of LDP proposal for constitutional revision

Yoshihide Suga rebutted the reports by repeating the prime minister's official stance, saying LDP lawmakers will seek to put together a unified formal party proposal.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Oct 3, 2018

Abe's latest Cabinet reshuffle casts doubt on 'womenomics' policy

While the prime minister has declared boosting the profile of professional women a top policy priority, Tuesday's reshuffle reduced the number of female ministers to just one.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 2, 2018

Prioritizing stability, Abe retains key ministers in Cabinet reshuffle while rewarding allies

Abe retained what he called the “foundation” of his administration but the 19-member Cabinet also has 12 lawmakers who have never held any portfolio before.

JAPAN

Sep 27, 2018

Ex-Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo tells LDP meeting introducing daylight saving time by 2020 will be 'difficult'

Former Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo said Thursday it would be difficult to introduce daylight saving time ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, a move that has been discussed as a way to mitigate the problem of scorching heat during the sporting event.

JAPAN

Sep 26, 2018

Japanese government to mull new work visa to help more labor-hungry professions: top government spokesman

The government is mulling an update to the nation's visa system in order to accept more foreign workers in a growing number of professions facing manpower shortages, including those that serve the labor-hungry restaurant and fisheries industries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday....

JAPAN

Sep 26, 2018

'Outrageous prejudice': Publisher suspends publication of Shincho 45 following furor in LGBT community

Shinchosha Publishing announced its Shincho 45 magazine will effectively fold after carrying articles that its president said contained “outrageous prejudice” against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 20, 2018

Abe tops Ishiba in Liberal Democratic Party election and secures historic third term

Japan's prime minister comfortably beat his only contender, securing 553 out of a total 807 votes.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 16, 2018

Abe-Ishiba debate highlights candidates' lack of concrete plans to tackle fundamental problems

A debate illustrates Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's differences on how to overcome some of the most fundamental problems Japan faces.

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 14, 2018

Abe says Putin comment reflects Russian leader's 'enthusiasm' to sign peace treaty

The prime minister vehemently denied Friday that his diplomacy to resolve the territorial dispute with Russia had ended in failure.

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 11, 2018

LDP contenders Abe, Ishiba joust over policy in first pre-election face-off

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe repeated on Monday that he wants to revise war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the ambiguous status of Japan's military if re-elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 20.

Japan Times

LIFE / Style & Design

Sep 8, 2018

Worn to be wild: Tokkōfuku combat uniforms

Tracing its origins back to the heady days of motorcycle gangs in the 1970s, the style is making a comeback with youth in Japan.

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 7, 2018

Campaigning begins for LDP leadership election

Official campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election kicks off, setting in motion a two-week race widely predicted to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe three more years in office.

JAPAN / Politics

Sep 3, 2018

Abe vows to lead fight against protectionism at LDP pre-election rally

As the world witnesses the imposition of retaliatory tariffs by some of the world's largest economies, Japan “must not be an introvert,” the prime minister said.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

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