Masami is a staff writer for the Life and Culture Division at The Japan Times. She is in charge of the weekly Sunday Timeout, covering various issues related to Japan, from alcohol/drug addiction and juvenile crime to female sushi chefs and kendama. Over her 15-year career, she has written extensively on Japanese politics, foreign policy and social issues.
For Masami Ito's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Standing on the grounds of the State Guesthouse, Akasaka Palace on a crisp autumn day in November, it's hard to believe you're in central Tokyo, just a few minutes' walk from bustling Yotsuya Station. Birds can be heard chirping in the nearby garden and, ...
Last April, a female reporter from TV Asahi accused Junichi Fukuda, the top bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry, of sexual harassment. The woman recorded the conversation, excerpts of which were later published by weekly magazine Shukan Shincho. The magazine also released an edited audio clip said ...
Despite the advances in awareness surrounding LGBTQ issues, sexual minorities continue to face challenges in disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ahead of Tokyo Rainbow Pride week later this month, we hear from from people in the LGBTQ community about recent moves to raise awareness of sexual minorities in Japan.
Hideki Nakahara, 66, is a retired Japan Airlines employee with years of experience in human resources. He graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in educational sociology. He is a great listener who can offer advice on everything from life and relationships to careers. He is married ...
In the early hours of May 16, 1995, police raided the Aum Shinrikyo cult's facilities in Kamikuishiki, Yamanashi Prefecture. At 9:45 a.m., cult founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was arrested and taken into custody. It was a historic victory for the ...
The 1995 Aum sarin gas attacks in Tokyo laid the foundations for the creation of support networks to help protect those affected by the incident.
Mari Natsuki has faced a number of challenges throughout her diverse career but her latest role asked her to attempt something she's never confronted before — portray an ordinary person. Previously, Natsuki has taken on roles as a singer, a dancer, an actor, a director ...
There's a lot more to the 89-year-old Instagrammer than her wacky selfies.
A group of surly guards inspect a line of inmates on death row standing in front of a prison. One by one, the inmates are led inside and locked inside their cells as they await their execution. "You better not try to escape," the warden growls ...
