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September 18, 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
Jul 16, 2002
New preventive tack may relegate drills, pliers to the trash can
Within a decade, the day may come when people will be spared the pain of having bad teeth extracted or cavities drilled. In fact, bad teeth may become a thing of the past.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2002
SIDS diagnoses seen as malpractice cover
In June 1999, Shinobu and Shinya Ishii took their 4-month-old son, Mahiro, to a municipally run hospital in the city of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, for treatment of bronchitis, and were told he would be released after a week or less of care.
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2002
Diagnostic options seen skewed by dearth of autopsies, probes
Recent controversy over a diagnosis of sudden infant death syndrome has exposed deep-rooted divisions among Japan's SIDS researchers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / MUSEUM MUSINGS
May 18, 2002
Pieces at Tokyo furniture museum all miniature history lessons: curator
A piece of furniture speaks volumes about history, lifestyles and people's sense of beauty, according to Masashi Saito, curator of the Furniture Museum in Tokyo's Harumi district.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 15, 2002
Koto moves to stem resident boom
As many areas of central Tokyo try to woo new residents, Koto Ward is taking the opposite tack and virtually begging developers to stop constructing new apartment complexes.
JAPAN
May 15, 2002
Pricey Chiyoda Ward offers housing subsidies
In stark contrast to Koto Ward's moves to curb its rising population, Chiyoda Ward last month began offering rent subsidies to eligible residents.
Japan Times
JAPAN / WEEKEND WISDOM
May 12, 2002
Former top executive attempts to save Japan Inc. with ethics
What is the root cause of corporate failure?
JAPAN
May 9, 2002
McDonald's joins stampede toward personalized marketing
Ltd. revealed its plans to launch a new e-shopping venture targeting users of cellular phones and personal computers. While the e-business entry by the fast-food giant underscores the huge potential of the sector, some experts believe consumers need to be aware that greater convenience carries with it...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 8, 2002
Info brokers have got your number, among other things
In the spring of 1999, Haruo Tanaka (not his real name) became interested in buying a condominium and visited several showrooms in Tokyo. Each time, he was asked to fill out a questionnaire. He provided his name, age, address and phone number as well as his annual income.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 3, 2002
Vacated banks seeing new tenants
At an intersection in Tokyo's Nihonbashi financial district, a wholesale supermarket with a bright yellow sign and outdoor fruit bins draws the curious eyes of people passing by.
Japan Times
JAPAN / WORKING IT OUT
Feb 5, 2002
Are 'freeters' result of slump, source of next one?
Tomoko Noguchi, 22, got her first bar hostess job about three years ago, while studying to become an aesthetician at a vocational school.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2001
Pediatrics strained to breaking point
It was just after midnight one recent weekend in the emergency room of Showa University Hospital in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. Pediatrician Katsura Sugihara was treating his 12th patient of the night, when the phone rang.
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 13, 2001
Afghan aid groups persevere despite danger
Prospects for the upcoming winter in Afghanistan were bleak enough before Sept. 11, as years of drought destroyed crops and drove millions of people toward famine.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2001
Readers reach out with fund
Total contributions to The Japan Times Readers' Fund in 2000 came to 3,401,372 yen.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2001
Author draws strength from illness to warn of market crisis
A life-threatening illness often focuses a person's mind on the meaning of life. For writer Main Kohda, the fear she may have developed cancer changed her life.
JAPAN
Oct 11, 2001
Web gossip sparks corporate anger
Two major life insurers were battered by a swirl of rumors in September as several message boards on a popular Web site began predicting their demise.
JAPAN
Oct 9, 2001
New Yorker sends paper cranes home
An American teacher at an international school in Niigata is helping New Yorkers heal from the shock of last month's terrorist attacks by sending letters, artwork and paper cranes from local residents to schools throughout Manhattan.
BUSINESS
Sep 25, 2001
Financial impact of terrorist attacks to be limited, expert says
The long-term effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. on the global economy and financial markets will be limited, despite the negative sentiment prevailing at many bourses, according to a former Tokyo branch manager for J.P. Morgan.
JAPAN
Sep 7, 2001
Top U.N. official criticizes Japan's plan to cut back on ODA
Japan's plan to cut back on official development assistance will worsen the nation's economic prospects by shrinking the volume of trade it enjoys with the rest of the world, a high-ranking official of the United Nations Development Program said.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2001
Writer bucks corporate norm
Writer Hamao Yokota seems to enjoy portraying an eccentric image.
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
Japan dispatches five language education 'partners' to India
Five members of the Japan Foundation's Nihongo Partners program (front) gather at the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on Monday.
Struggling train firm in Chiba Prefecture turns to self-deprecating humor
"Laughter is important when you're in a difficult situation," said Katsunori Takemoto, president of Choshi Electric Railway, on Aug. 5 in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture.
Over 90% of low-income families in Japan struggling to feed children
Save the Children Japan domestic program chief Sonoko Kawakami speaks at a news conference in Tokyo in July. A survey conducted by the group in June has found that over 90% of low-income households with children face food insecurity.
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million
The estimated number of people age 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million as of Monday, accounting for record 29.4% of the country's total population, according to the internal affairs ministry.
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
Japanese athletes inspired by raucous home fans at World Athletics Championships
Fans cheer on the home favorites during the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan's major art events converge this fall
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.
Tara Davis-Woodhall leaps to gold and finds redemption at world championships
Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates after winning the women's long jump final at the World Athletics Championships at Tokyo's National Stadium on Sunday night.
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.

Podcast

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

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

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