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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
BUSINESS
Nov 26, 2021
Black Friday sales make inroads in Japan, but not all retailers are buying in
Public recognition of the retail bonanza has soared in recent years, with major franchises rolling out discount campaigns.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 21, 2021
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike returns to duty after speculation of ill health and resignation
Koike, 69, visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to attend an online meeting of the National Governors' Association on Sunday, marking a full resumption of her duties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / OBITUARY
Nov 14, 2021
Jakucho Setouchi: A freewheeling nun who bucked conventional norms for women
Prior to beginning her religious journey in 1973, Jakucho Setouchi established herself first and foremost as a writer — and a controversial one at that.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 1, 2021
Suspect in Tokyo Halloween attack deliberately targeted a crowded train
Sunday's incident has restarted a debate about what train operators can reasonably do to stop attacks by armed individuals.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2021
Japanese citizens living overseas face high hurdles to vote
Sunday's general election underscored anew the plight of overseas voters, whose abilities to vote were compromised like never before by the pandemic and Kishida's election strategy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 26, 2021
Princess Mako weds after drawn-out engagement drama
In tying the knot with her college sweetheart, the princess relinquished her royal status and brought closure to a four-year engagement saga marred by scandal and public backlash.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 24, 2021
Is Taro Kono politically dead?
Effectively demoted after his unsuccessful LDP leadership bid, the former vaccine czar needs to maintain his public popularity while hoping the party's views move closer to his own.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 8, 2021
Why is the Nobel Prize so elusive for Haruki Murakami?
Over the years, critics have cited a number of possible reasons, with the most prominent being the lack of political statements in his work.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Sep 30, 2021
Kei Komuro’s ponytail caused a media frenzy in Japan — leaving some to ask why
To some extent, the ratings-driven coverage speaks to the Japanese public's disapproval of Princess Mako's boyfriend.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2021
As Japan's fifth COVID-19 wave wanes, officials warn against complacency
A delta-driven surge in COVID-19 cases is coming to a faster-than-expected end, but experts believe another wave of infections may be around the corner.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2021
Japan's virus wave shows just how far digitalization of schools still has to go
Japanese schools have long relied on conventional teaching methods, and an abrupt shift to remote learning has revealed how many are still wedded to them.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 12, 2021
In Japan politics, social media savvy Taro Kono is a rarity. His party isn't fully on board.
Kono's unorthodox communication style is a double-edged sword and has made him a polarizing figure among some of the Liberal Democratic Party's influential old guard.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2021
Could Japan soon have a female leader? Sanae Takaichi emerges as a contender
With the reported backing of former PM Shinzo Abe, the ex-internal affairs and communications minister has a shot at becoming the nation's first female prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2021
It's back to school in Japan, but COVID-19 is keeping some children at home
Some parents have taken the rare step of stopping their children from going to school due to fears over classroom infections and their own close contacts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 27, 2021
Japan ramps up campaign to get youth vaccinated against COVID-19
Incentives such as cars and coupons, as well as new walk-in centers, are being rolled out to tempt vaccine-hesitant young people, but supply issues present a big barrier of their own.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 24, 2021
Japan turns to antibody cocktails as 'new weapon' in fight against pandemic
The government has widened the use of the drug Ronapreve, but some doctors say it needs to go further and make it available to patients isolating at home too.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS / FOCUS
Aug 17, 2021
Virus surge in Japan overshadows excitement ahead of the Paralympics
Athletes and officials are caught between worries over COVID-19 and their belief in what the Paralympics can do for inclusiveness and disability sports.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 14, 2021
Yoasobi’s breakout hit song is just as catchy in English
YouTube viewers are praising music director Konnie Aoki's English translation of “Yoru ni Kakeru,” which sounds strikingly similar to the original Japanese version.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2021
Phasing out faxes faces fierce resistance from Japan's bureaucrats
After a government task force issued a notice telling ministries to abandon their fax machines, it was inundated with about 400 responses from officials.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2021
A hunger strike reignites conversations about parental rights in Japan
Detractors of the country's system of sole parental authority say it promotes child 'abductions,' while supporters say change could exacerbate domestic abuse.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
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