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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.
For Tomohiro Osaki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 24, 2021
Is Taro Kono politically dead?
Effectively demoted after his unsuccessful LDP leadership bid, the former vaccine czar needs to maintain his public popularity while hoping the party's views move closer to his own.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 8, 2021
Why is the Nobel Prize so elusive for Haruki Murakami?
Over the years, critics have cited a number of possible reasons, with the most prominent being the lack of political statements in his work.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Sep 30, 2021
Kei Komuro’s ponytail caused a media frenzy in Japan — leaving some to ask why
To some extent, the ratings-driven coverage speaks to the Japanese public's disapproval of Princess Mako's boyfriend.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2021
As Japan's fifth COVID-19 wave wanes, officials warn against complacency
A delta-driven surge in COVID-19 cases is coming to a faster-than-expected end, but experts believe another wave of infections may be around the corner.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2021
Japan's virus wave shows just how far digitalization of schools still has to go
Japanese schools have long relied on conventional teaching methods, and an abrupt shift to remote learning has revealed how many are still wedded to them.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 12, 2021
In Japan politics, social media savvy Taro Kono is a rarity. His party isn't fully on board.
Kono's unorthodox communication style is a double-edged sword and has made him a polarizing figure among some of the Liberal Democratic Party's influential old guard.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2021
Could Japan soon have a female leader? Sanae Takaichi emerges as a contender
With the reported backing of former PM Shinzo Abe, the ex-internal affairs and communications minister has a shot at becoming the nation's first female prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2021
It's back to school in Japan, but COVID-19 is keeping some children at home
Some parents have taken the rare step of stopping their children from going to school due to fears over classroom infections and their own close contacts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 27, 2021
Japan ramps up campaign to get youth vaccinated against COVID-19
Incentives such as cars and coupons, as well as new walk-in centers, are being rolled out to tempt vaccine-hesitant young people, but supply issues present a big barrier of their own.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 24, 2021
Japan turns to antibody cocktails as 'new weapon' in fight against pandemic
The government has widened the use of the drug Ronapreve, but some doctors say it needs to go further and make it available to patients isolating at home too.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS / Summer Paralympics / FOCUS
Aug 17, 2021
Virus surge in Japan overshadows excitement ahead of the Paralympics
Athletes and officials are caught between worries over COVID-19 and their belief in what the Paralympics can do for inclusiveness and disability sports.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 14, 2021
Yoasobi’s breakout hit song is just as catchy in English
YouTube viewers are praising music director Konnie Aoki's English translation of “Yoru ni Kakeru,” which sounds strikingly similar to the original Japanese version.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2021
Phasing out faxes faces fierce resistance from Japan's bureaucrats
After a government task force issued a notice telling ministries to abandon their fax machines, it was inundated with about 400 responses from officials.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2021
A hunger strike reignites conversations about parental rights in Japan
Detractors of the country's system of sole parental authority say it promotes child 'abductions,' while supporters say change could exacerbate domestic abuse.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2021
Organizers scramble to replace Tokyo Games composer after resignation
The scandal over the musician's admission of having bullied and assaulted people with disabilities is the latest in a long line to have beset the troubled Tokyo Olympics.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 19, 2021
From LDP 'prince' to punchline: What happened to Shinjiro Koizumi?
In addition to being regularly lampooned on social media, the environment minister has struggled to maintain his influence amid COVID-19 and as a Cabinet insider.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2021
Pfizer vaccine crunch continues to trouble Japan's inoculation efforts
In response to supply issues, the central government will soon set aside a certain quantity of Pfizer doses that prefectures can distribute to municipalities that need them the most.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 12, 2021
Talk of 'vaccination harassment' puts Japan Inc. in a tough spot
The term has come into the spotlight in Japan ever since reports emerged of workers complaining of peer pressure and instructions from their bosses to receive a shot.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 1, 2021
Vaccine supply woes put brakes on Japan’s accelerated rollout
Demand for doses is now outpacing supply in some municipalities, calling their rollout schedules into question and prompting central government to warn that they may need to slow down.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2021
In Japan, anti-vaccine movement threatens to make widespread hesitancy worse
“Zero-risk worship” in Japan has made experts concerned about the impact that a fringe community of outspoken vaccine opponents could have on the public.

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