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July 05, 2025
 

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Tomoko Otake

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Tomoko Otake
Tomoko Otake is a senior writer with a strong interest in health, medical and social issues. A native of Nara Prefecture, she obtained an M.A. in journalism from The University of Montana.
JAPAN / History / 70 YEARS AFTER THE WAR'S END
Aug 7, 2015
Nagasaki's 'providential' nightmare shaped by religious, ethnic undercurrents
August is high season for tourism in Nagasaki. One morning last week at the Nagasaki Peace Park, the venue for an annual televised ceremony to commemorate the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing of the city, throngs of tourists wearing name tags hanging from their necks were shuffling in and out of buses, snapping pictures in front of the iconic Peace Statue.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2015
Tokyo Olympics logo designer says he's 'shocked' by plagiarism claim
The designer of the emblem for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games said Wednesday that he was "shocked" and "pained" that a Belgian theater logo designer had accused him of plagiarism.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 23, 2015
Genome project aims to diagnose patients with rare diseases
In a potential ray of hope for thousands of people with undiagnosed conditions, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development will refer such patients to a centralized network of specialists for genome analysis.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 20, 2015
U.S. trans fat ban prompts call for better Japan labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's move last month to phase out artificial trans fats over three years from all processed foods has made few ripples in Japan, where there are currently no regulations on the oil.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 19, 2015
Tokyo hospitals to add five foreign doctors for expats
The government will allow five non-Japanese doctors to practice at four hospitals in Tokyo from around December. Their patients will be limited to non-Japanese who agree to pay full costs themselves.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Jul 19, 2015
Japan's hospitals weigh overseas branches, medical tourism in search for profit
Affluent foreigners represent attractive market, but Japan's health care industry is inexperienced in reaching out to foreigners.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 17, 2015
Young single Japanese less keen to have children
More single people in their 20s say they don't want any children, think it's costly and exhausting to raise them, and show little interest in kids in general, according to a new survey.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 14, 2015
Hamp case gave oxycodone a bad name, say doctors
The high-profile arrest of former Toyota Motor Corp. executive Julie Hamp last month over importing oxycodone might fuel prejudice in Japan against the narcotic painkillers and other strong pain-relieving drugs, experts fear.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 14, 2015
Explaining Japan's tough drug rules
Some medications available through prescription or over the counter in the U.S. are prohibited in Japan and cannot be brought into the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 25, 2015
Nintendo's virtual warriors secure same-sex marriage victory
In a sign of the growing embrace of diversity in virtual reality, Nintendo Co. said Thursday its Fire Emblem fantasy role-playing game series now allows characters to have same-sex relationships.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2015
Canadian sailor has Japan solo circumnavigation in sight
A Canadian ex-executive who once served as dean and president of Temple University Japan is getting closer to making history — as probably the first foreigner to sail solo around Japan.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jun 20, 2015
'Trying to conceive through science is a roller-coaster ride'
When Maiko Okada visited a fertility clinic in Tokyo for the first time five years ago, she was totally unprepared for the roller-coaster ride of emotions she would subsequently experience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 19, 2015
Gender equality goal for 2020 elusive: white paper
The government's goal of having women in 30 percent of all leadership positions in Japan by 2020 is looking unrealistic, the 2015 gender equality white paper says.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2015
Tourism body to poll spas on no-tattoo policy amid influx of foreign visitors with body art
The Japan Tourism Agency has begun surveying hot springs nationwide on their no-tattoo policies, as Japan sees more foreign visitors sporting body art.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 16, 2015
Consumer groups skeptical of health claims from new food labels
The first batch of products with new "functional food" labels will hit stores nationwide this week, amid controversy over regulatory policy that critics say is too lax.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2015
NHK filter gives viewers 'legal' way to avoid Japan's TV tax
An engineering professor at Tsukuba University says his device for TVs that filters out NHK's signal provides a legal basis for not paying subscription fees to to the public broadcaster.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 2, 2015
Japan Pension Service hack used classic attack method
The massive leak last month of personal data from the Japan Pension Service was the result of a simple error by its employees: opening a virus-laced email attachment disguised as a health ministry document.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 2, 2015
Some experts doubt shift to generic drugs is best prescription for health care system
In a desperate bid to stem the rise in health care costs, the government is reining in one of its biggest medical outlays: prescription drugs.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 1, 2015
1.25 million affected by Japan Pension Service hack
The nation's pension system has been hacked, with more than a million cases of personal data leaked in an embarrassment that revives memories of a scandal that helped topple Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his first term in office.
JAPAN / Society
May 25, 2015
With hate speech bill, Osaka grapples with freedom of expression
The Osaka Municipal Government has proposed an ordinance aimed at curbing hate speech against racial and ethnic minorities in the city, where verbal and other attacks against Korean residents have intensified in recent years.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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