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 Tomohiro Osaki

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Tomohiro Osaki
Tomohiro Osaki is a staff writer in the Domestic News Division. A graduate of Sophia University in Tokyo, he likes to explore under-reported realities of Japanese youth, with a tendency toward the taboo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2017
A contrite Abe takes blame for support plunge
Taking a recent plunge in his Cabinet's support rate to heart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe admits that his government's recent handling of alleged favoritism scandals was at fault for stoking voter distrust.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2017
Diet makes historic revision to century-old sex-crime laws
Japan revised its sex crime laws for the first time in more than a century on Friday — a historic move that broadens the definition of rape and lengthens prison terms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2017
Conspiracy law ramrodded through Diet as opposition reckons with ruling camp tactics
Outcries fall on deaf ears as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition skips committee-level approval to pass controversial bill.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2017
Tattoo artist goes to court to legally shed shady image ahead of 2020 Games
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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2017
Abe coalition rams contentious conspiracy bill through Diet
Brushing off a stern outcry from the opposition camp, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition rammed a contentious bill to criminalize conspiracy through the Diet Thursday morning, after it resorted to the extremely rare tactic of outright bypassing its committee-level approval.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 7, 2017
Overhaul of sex crime laws receives broad support
The nation took the first significant step in more than a century Wednesday toward revamping its outdated sex crime laws with a Lower House committee's unanimous passing of a package of amendments.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 5, 2017
Despite evidence, Abe fights Diet calls for new probe into alleged Kake Gakuen conflict
A leaked document implicating Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a conflict of interest appears authentic, but the leader brashly insists there's no need to reopen a probe into the matter.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2017
U.N. expert Kaye fires back at Tokyo's criticism of freedom of expression report
A United Nations expert on Friday defended his report on significant threats to freedom of expression in Japan as factually accurate, rebutting the Japanese government's assertions that his views are based on "hearsay information."
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 31, 2017
Abe government clashes with U.N. rapporteurs critical of Japan
Weeks after a U.N. special rapporteur released a surprise open letter slamming a state-backed conspiracy bill that critics warn could erode privacy and free speech rights, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has shown no sign of letting up on its targeting of the statement.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 30, 2017
Divide still large as Japan pushes to tighten noose on North while China emphasizes dialogue
In a meeting of top-level diplomats on Tuesday, Tokyo urged Beijing to impose more decisive sanctions on North Korea, seeking to end China's apparent inaction amid a recent litany of provocations by Pyongyang.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 29, 2017
North Korea fires apparent Scud-type missile that lands in Japan's exclusive economic zone
Pyongyang's latest missile test lobs a suspected Scud into Japan's stated exclusive economic zone, prompting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to vow “concrete measures.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2017
Lawmakers ram conspiracy bill through Lower House as U.N. expert slams Tokyo
As the bill moved forward, a heated war of words broke out between Tokyo and a United Nations expert on privacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 22, 2017
The art, and fallout, of the Japanese political gaffe
If there is one way you can count on Japanese politicians, it is their ability to make headlines by putting their foot in their mouth.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 22, 2017
Japan, WTO chief reaffirm commitment to free trade
Japan and the World Trade Organization on Monday issued what is believed to be an unprecedented joint statement reaffirming their commitment to fostering free trade in the face of a recent surge of protectionism embodied by U.S. president Donald Trump.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 19, 2017
Ruling bloc shoves conspiracy bill through Lower House judiciary panel
A contentious conspiracy bill criticized for its Orwellian implications begins a weakly opposed journey through the Lower House, driven by the LDP-Komeito ruling bloc.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 17, 2017
Opposition makes last-ditch effort to block conspiracy bill
To delay the vote on approving a new penalty against criminal conspiracy, opposition lawmakers submitted a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Katsutoshi Kaneda.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 16, 2017
Japan, U.S. agree to keep up pressure on Pyongyang, say dialogue off table for now
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also agreed to call on China to play a greater role in dealing with Pyongyang.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 12, 2017
Abe's bid to revise charter by 2020 irks LDP veterans
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's subtle strategy for marketing constitutional revision like a 2020 image commercial leaves his party's veterans feeling irritated and undermined.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 10, 2017
Moon win puts allies' approach to North Korea in doubt, but drastic policy shift unlikely, experts say
With Wednesday's election of liberal candidate Moon Jae-in as South Korea's new president, all eyes are on whether he will stick to his campaign promise of pursuing rapprochement with Pyongyang.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 9, 2017
Abe says defining SDF in revised Constitution is 'the responsibility of our generation'
The remarks were among only a handful he would make on his desire to amend the charter during a face-off with Democratic Party leader Renho.

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