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Mami Maruko
Staff writer Mami Maruko writes stories about the international community in Japan, including profiles of Tokyo-based ambassadors and international marriages. She received education in Japan, England and the U.S. She graduated from Goldsmiths College, University of London, with a masters degree in Theater Arts.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2014
Universities aim to boost their global ranking
The government has announced it will provide funding to 37 leading public and private universities in a bid to boost their global competitiveness.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2014
Diplomats win kudos in annual photo contest
An arresting image of a man dressed as a superhero parking his bicycle was on Thursday named winner of the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize for the Japan Through Diplomats' Eyes 2014 photography contest.
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2014
Mobile truck stores filling void in shrinking suburbs
As the population shrinks in Tokyo's outskirts and stores close down, some businesses are spotting a niche for mobile stores operating from the back of delivery trucks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 24, 2014
Tsukuba University climbs to 13th in global new university rankings
The University of Tsukuba has been rated the 13th best new university worldwide, in a ranking that compares the merits of such institutions set up within the past 50 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2014
Gov. Masuzoe outlines grand tourism plan for Tokyo
Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe sketches out his 'long-term vision' for the capital and lays out some of the steps needed to turn it into a tourism magnet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2014
Shizuoka governor rapped for posting school scores online
Education minister Hakubun Shimomura on Friday harshly criticized Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu for disclosing the names of public elementary schools that scored above average in this year's nationwide achievement test, saying the move goes against ministry rules.
JAPAN / Media
Sep 4, 2014
In reversal, Asahi runs but censors critical ads
The Asahi Shimbun censors advertisements for the weekly magazines Shukan Bunshun and Shukan Shincho that were critical of the major newspaper.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 1, 2014
After STAP scandal, Riken plots its future
With recent revelations of misconduct involving its research on so-called STAP cells, stem cell researcher Haruko Obokata and her employer, Riken Institute, have come under intense scrutiny and criticism.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 28, 2014
Efforts to replicate STAP cells fall flat
The Riken research institute said Wednesday that ongoing efforts to reproduce so-called STAP cells — whose existence was first claimed by scientist Haruko Obokata in the British journal Nature — have failed.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2014
Kiwanis campaign helping to stamp out tetanus
Around the world, a baby dies every nine minutes from tetanus.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Aug 20, 2014
Single fathers emerge from the shadows
Hiroki Yoshida, a father of three children aged 6, 8 and 11, suddenly became a single father four years ago, when his wife walked out without warning.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND
Aug 11, 2014
Staff at children's homes strive to give kids their all
For Chikako Ishigo, 70, working at a children's home has not been as worrying or troublesome a job as one might imagine.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2014
Tokyo malls gearing up to serve more foreign shoppers
In the run-up to the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, the Odaiba district in Koto Ward is aiming to cater to the needs of the foreign visitors expected to flood their shopping complexes.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2014
Technique to prevent drowning catches on
To prevent drownings, a growing number of children around Asia are being trained using a Japanese technique called "uitemate," meaning floating and waiting.
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2014
Data leak highlights shortcomings
The massive data leak of private information on millions of Benesse Holdings customers has highlighted Japanese firms' inadequate security measures, revealing just how easily data can be taken outside of an organization by employees.
Japan Times
JAPAN / OUR MAN IN TOKYO
Jul 8, 2014
Aussie envoy a student of Japan
Bruce Miller, Australia's ambassador to Japan since August 2011, has been interested in Japan since he was a boy of 11.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / DEALING WITH DEMENTIA
Jul 4, 2014
Assistance for vulnerable elderly on the rise
Last in a three-part series
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2014
Yamanote Line trains to get revamp next year
East Japan Railway Co. is developing a new commuter train design that it wants to get rolling on Tokyo's Yamanote Line by fall 2015.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 26, 2014
'Dappo' drugs skirt clampdown
The death of a pedestrian run over by a driver who was allegedly using 'dappo' herbs just shows the quasi-legal narcotic is on the rise, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2014
Fukushima evacuees seek end to limbo
Japan's economy may be picking up, but the outlook remains bleak for an often forgotten group of people: the roughly 150,000 evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?