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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 / Science & Health

Jun 30, 2016

Landmark cancer study reveals huge regional gaps in incidence rates; lifestyle habits may be to blame

A landmark study of cancer diagnoses in Japan has revealed huge regional gaps in incidence rates in what one official said reflected notable differences in lifestyle habits across the country.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Science & Health

Jun 26, 2016

Man in battle against cancer leads Japanese fight for medical use of marijuana

One afternoon earlier this month, Masamitsu Yamamoto showed up at the Tokyo District Court to attend a session of his criminal trial for an alleged violation of the Cannabis Control Law.

JAPAN

Jun 25, 2016

Science Council to make clear position on lifting military-linked research ban by early next year

A committee of 15 academics with the Science Council of Japan held a meeting on whether to revise its long-held stance to never engage in military research.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Jun 23, 2016

Family's pain over 2006 Yokosuka murder reflects desire for SOFA rethink

Justice has been a long time coming for Masanori Yamazaki, whose common-law wife was murdered by a drunk U.S. sailor in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, 10 years ago, in an unprovoked assault.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Science & Health / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Jun 19, 2016

Japanese researchers take artificial intelligence toward the final frontier: creativity

It was a dark, overcast day, with clouds hovering low.

JAPAN / Media

Jun 17, 2016

Minor’s death sentence sees Japan media split on anonymity rule

The debate centers on whether to name a man who lost an appeal against a death sentence for a 2010 double murder.

JAPAN

Jun 8, 2016

Android version of literary giant Natsume Soseki to return to alma mater to lecture

An android version of the noted scribe is slated to visit Nishogakusha University next year and deliver lectures.

JAPAN / Society

Jun 3, 2016

Case of missing boy receives mix of sympathy and criticism from residents, experts

Japan let out a sigh of relief Friday after a 7-year-old Hokkaido boy was found alive following an intensive six-day search by hundreds of police, firefighters and Self-Defense Force troops.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Jun 2, 2016

Obama reworked Hiroshima speech many times in bid to find right balance

U.S. president's top speechwriter says Obama worked hard to make sure it was 'a broad reflection on what we must learn from history.'

JAPAN

Jun 1, 2016

On streets of Tokyo, opinion divided over tax-hike delay

Passers-by polled by reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday were split over the prospect of another delay to the consumption tax hike.

JAPAN

May 30, 2016

Science Council of Japan considers overturning long-held opposition to military research

The nation's largest and most powerful group of scientists has started discussing lifting its decades-old ban on defense-related research as the government seeks more collaboration with civilians in the development of weapons technology.

JAPAN / Science & Health

May 24, 2016

In first interview since '14, scandal-hit Obokata says she has received job offers from U.S., Germany

Disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata says she has received offers from American and German scientists to continue her research.

Japan Times

JAPAN

May 18, 2016

Foreign tourist numbers top record for second straight month in Japan

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in April hit a single-month record of 2.08 million, topping the 2 million mark for the second month in a row, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced Wednesday.

JAPAN

May 11, 2016

Tokyo's governor becomes embroiled in fresh public funding scandal

Yoichi Masuzoe once again finds himself mired in ignominy, this time over a possible violation of political funding laws.

Japan Times

JAPAN

May 6, 2016

Sex assault likely at evacuation centers, groups warn

Support groups in Kumamoto raise the alarm about sexual assault as the lack of privacy in evacuation shelters gives rise to risky safety conditions.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society

May 6, 2016

250,000 Japanese engaged in 'double care' of children, adult family members: survey

An estimated 253,000 people are currently shouldering the double burden of raising children while also caring for sick or elderly family members, a recent survey by the Cabinet Office has found.

Japan Times

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

May 2, 2016

New law bans bias against people with disabilities, but shortcomings exist, say experts

On April 1, a new law aimed at advancing the rights of people with disabilities took effect explicitly banning discrimination against them and requiring government bodies and private-sector businesses to pay greater attention to their needs.

Japan Times

BUSINESS / Companies

May 1, 2016

App to let men test sperm count at home

Infertility is a growing concern in rapidly depopulating Japan. But it is often seen as a women's problem, even though both sexes can be to blame.

Japan Times

BUSINESS / Tech

Apr 27, 2016

Untimely call of nature leads to inspiration for pocket toilet-time monitor

Business ideas are often hatched in unlikely places. But for Atsushi Nakanishi, an epiphany could not have hit him at a worse time.

JAPAN

Apr 21, 2016

'Hometown donation' system emerges as effective way to help quake victims

Amid a flurry of fundraising and charity projects launched in the wake of last week's deadly earthquakes in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, the "hometown tax donation system" is gaining attention as a way of getting money directly to affected municipalities.

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

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

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