National Feb 11, 2017
NHK violated Obokata's rights: broadcasting ethics panel
A broadcasting ethics panel concludes that NHK defamed biologist Haruko Obokata in a TV program about her stem cell research debacle.
National / Science & Health May 24, 2016
In first interview since '14, scandal-hit Obokata says she has received job offers from U.S., Germany
by Tomoko Otake
Disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata says she has received offers from American and German scientists to continue her research.
National / Crime & Legal Feb 18, 2016
Obokata questioned over alleged theft of Riken stem cell samples
The academic scandal over a debunked stem cell discovery has taken a criminal turn, with police questioning the scientist at the center of the storm. Disgraced researcher Haruko Obokata recently underwent voluntary questioning in connection with the alleged theft of stem cell samples from her ...
National Jan 27, 2016
Obokata breaks silence, suggests colleague bears blame for STAP debacle
by Tomoko Otake
A former star scientist with the Riken research institute who was accused of fraud in 2014 tells her side of the story.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Dec 5, 2015
Hunter and hunted: Where are they now?
by Michael Hoffman
The mutilations are frightful — dog, cat, rabbit and pigeon corpses missing heads, tails, limbs, ears. Weekly Playboy magazine reports nearly 40 sightings in the past four months in the Kanto region alone. Who's out there doing these things? With what thoughts in mind? Anyone ...
National Nov 6, 2015
Riken institute spent ¥145 million on discredited STAP stem cells study
The money, spent from fiscal 2011 to 2014, also included a subsequent investigation into research misconduct.
National Nov 2, 2015
Waseda University strips Obokata of Ph.D.
by Shusuke Murai
Tokyo's Waseda University will revoke the doctorate of cell scientist Haruko Obokata, because she failed to correct inaccuracies in her thesis as requested.
National Oct 30, 2015
Waseda to strip biologist Obokata of doctorate
Waseda University in Tokyo is set to revoke the doctoral degree of Haruko Obokata, the biologist who rocked the scientific community by fabricating data during highly touted research on stem cells, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. The former Riken researcher was last October ...
National / Science & Health Sep 24, 2015
Seven labs worldwide confirm 'STAP' cells cannot be reproduced
Seven laboratories have confirmed that a type of stem cell said to have been discovered by a Japanese scientist in now-retracted papers could not be reproduced, despite over 100 attempts, according to research published Wednesday. The British science journal Nature said the reanalysis of so-called ...
National / Science & Health Jul 7, 2015
Obokata returns STAP cell paper publication fees to Riken
Former Riken researcher Haruko Obokata has returned about ¥600,000 that went toward publishing her papers — since retracted — on STAP stem cells in the journal Nature, the research institute said Tuesday. The money was returned to Riken on Monday after she indicated her readiness ...
National / Science & Health Apr 1, 2015
New Riken chief pledges to restore trust after scandal
by Shusuke Murai
The newly appointed head of the Riken research institute has pledged to restore its reputation as a global leader in the field. Hiroshi Matsumoto, a 72-year-old space plasma physicist who received a state Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2007, made the vow on Wednesday as ...
National / Science & Health Mar 20, 2015
Riken to ask Obokata for ¥600,000 in publishing fees for debunked paper
by Mami Maruko
Riken said Friday that it would ask disgraced former researcher Haruko Obokata for about ¥600,000 in compensation for fees associated with publishing the results of her now-discredited research into so-called STAP cells. Hiroshi Tsuboi, a member of Riken's board of directors, said the money was ...