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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 / Politics

Mar 20, 2018

Moritomo scandal: Ruling bloc yields to opposition calls for Diet testimony by former tax agency head

The much-anticipated Diet appearance of Nobuhisa Sagawa, who resigned earlier this month to take responsibility for the scandal, was arranged to take place next Tuesday.

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Mar 15, 2018

Supreme Court breaks new ground, ruling in favor of U.S.-based Japanese father in international custody battle

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday in favor of a U.S.-based Japanese father seeking to reunite with his teenage son, who was taken by his estranged wife to Japan in 2016, concluding that the wife's dogged refusal to abide by an earlier court order mandating the minor's repatriation amounts to her "illegally...

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 14, 2018

Abe-Kim summit: The real deal or thinly veiled diversion?

Tokyo is seeking a summit with North Korea's leader, prompting speculation Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scrambling to deflect public attention away from a document-tampering scandal.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 13, 2018

As Moritomo scandal reverberates, protesters gather for second day to call on Abe and Taro Aso to resign

As the news of the Finance Ministry's document-tampering continued to send shock waves throughout the nation, a throng of irate protesters gathered near the Diet building Tuesday evening for the second day in a row, calling on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso to immediately resign....

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 13, 2018

From 'falsified' to 'rewritten,' headlines on Moritomo scandal shine light on political leanings

All major Japanese newspapers ran big headlines Tuesday about the Finance Ministry's alterations to documents related to a shady 2016 sale of state-owned land, threatening to sink public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government. The way in which they described the latest developments, however,...

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 9, 2018

Abe to visit U.S. in April to discuss North Korea with Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to meet with the North Korean leader might give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a chance to resolve the abduction issue.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 7, 2018

Prospect of U.S.-North Korea summit prompts jitters in Tokyo about being left vulnerable

The possibility of a summit between Washington and Pyongyang has left Tokyo jittery the U.S. may settle for a policy compromise that prioritizes U.S. homeland security, leaving Japan vulnerable.

JAPAN / Society

Mar 6, 2018

Lawmakers weigh compensation for victims of forced sterilization under Japan's defunct eugenics law

The long-delayed step heralds a move toward redressing victims of the 1948 law, which wasn't scrapped until 1996.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 2, 2018

Government looking to recognize two-time gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu with People's Honor Award

The government is looking to present the prestigious People's Honor Award to figure skating superstar Yuzuru Hanyu, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Mar 1, 2018

Abe administration to remove contentious proposal from draft labor reform bill

The drastic policy compromise appears to be intended to minimize damage ahead of a critical leadership election in September.

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 27, 2018

LDP refuses calls to redo flawed labor survey as debate delays budget talks

Political wrangling over an error-laden survey compiled by the labor ministry on what is known as the discretionary labor system shows no sign of subsiding, with the government persistently rejecting opposition calls for a redo of the probe said to underline Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's campaign to reshape...

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Feb 26, 2018

In Japan's Diet, is there such a thing as too much time for questions?

It may be hard to find a workplace more rife with inefficiency and inertia than the national Diet.

JAPAN

Feb 23, 2018

WTO backs Japan complaint against South Korea's Fukushima import ban

Tokyo welcomes a World Trade Organization ruling against South Korea's ban on seafood from Fukushima Prefecture but Seoul plans to appeal.

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 22, 2018

Opposition lawmakers find at least 117 errors in botched labor survey, as scandal over Abe's key work style reforms deepens

In another revelation, labor minister Katsunobu Kato confirmed original response papers used in the survey — which he previously claimed had been discarded — were found in a basement at the ministry.

JAPAN

Feb 21, 2018

Government task force proposes ¥2,000 fee for Japanese and foreign nationals entering casinos at planned 'integrated resorts'

While the proposed admission fee is aimed at preventing gambling addiction among residents in Japan, tourists from overseas will be admitted to casinos free of charge.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 13, 2018

Japan says it won't fall for North Korean 'charm offensive' amid detente with U.S. and South

The stance risks making Tokyo appear at odds with Washington and Seoul — its two top allies in dealing with the North.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 8, 2018

Amid Olympic detente, Pence talks tough

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence talks up the Japan-U.S. alliance and Washington's resolve to dismantle North Korea's arsenal, during a visit to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 7, 2018

Abe and Pence say no divide on North Korea during Tokyo meeting, warn against Pyongyang’s ‘smile diplomacy’

Amid signs of a gradual thaw in inter-Korean relations, Prime Minister Abe and visiting U.S. Vice President Pence reaffirm the policy of maintaining “maximum pressure” on North Korea.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 5, 2018

Abe explains uncompromising stance on inserting 'explicit SDF mention' in Article 9

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reluctant to compromise on the substance of constitutional amendments, emphasizing his commitment to the ambitious goal of altering the war-renouncing Article 9.

JAPAN / Society

Jan 31, 2018

'Country of cowards': Comedy duo's political satire stands out in gun-shy Japan

In what was perhaps a make-or-break moment for their careers, comedy duo Woman Rush Hour did something on prime-time television in December that most of their fellow comedians try their best to eschew: They talked about politics.

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

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

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