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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
Nov 2, 2018
Japan's Cabinet approves bill to introduce new visa categories for foreign workers, to address shrinking workforce
The bill marks a departure from previous policy in allowing foreign individuals to work in blue collar industries for a potentially indefinite amount of time.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2018
Abe grilled at Diet on new visa statuses and upcoming tax hike
The prime minister was also questioned about moves to amend the postwar Constitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW 2018
Oct 26, 2018
Tasked with bringing North Korea abduction issue to a close, Suga vows to do all in his power
As the government's new point man on the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he will do all in his power to bring the issue to a close and secure the safe return of all who were kidnapped.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / CABINET INTERVIEW 2018
Oct 25, 2018
Okinawa minister says the government needs better messaging on Futenma transfer to assuage local concerns
The newly installed minister of state for Okinawa affairs says the prefecture's residents deserve a full breakdown of the government's rationale for relocating a contentious U.S. military base from the crowded city of Ginowan to the coastal district of Henoko in Nago.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2018
Tokyo confirms release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda after three years of captivity in Syria
The government's top spokesman attributed Yasuda's release to efforts by an anti-terrorism intelligence unit in Tokyo, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thanking Qatar and Turkey “for their great cooperation.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 24, 2018
Abe underscores push to clean up Japan's postwar diplomatic rows in opening speech to Diet
The prime minister emphasized his determination to ensure the return of citizens abducted by North Korean agents and the signing of a peace treaty with Russia.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2018
150 years on, Abe calls for 'emulation' of Meiji Era bravery to overcome Japan's modern crises
Abe praised the steps ancestors took toward reinventing Japan and likened their “brave” fight against the rise of the West to current challenges, including a rapidly shrinking population.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 21, 2018
Abe-Xi summit comes as Chinese leader looks to create united front amid U.S. trade war
At the upcoming summit in Beijing, President Shinzo Abe and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may form a united front in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist moves.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 18, 2018
Japan's only female minister, Satsuki Katayama, hit by allegation she was paid to influence tax agency
A weekly magazine alleged that Katayama was paid to use her bureaucratic standing to get a tax break for a business owner in 2015.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2018
As international order languishes, experts at G1 Global Conference discuss Japan's new role as global 'stabilizer'
In a world increasingly fragmented by U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, Japan should take on the role as the world's new "stabilizer" by committing to the landmark Paris accord on climate change and keeping a multilateral trade regime from falling apart in the absence of the United...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 11, 2018
Japan's top government spokesman denies Trump asked Abe to 'strongly consider' giving casino license to one of his benefactors
Yoshihide Suga responded tersely to an investigative report during a regular press briefing, referring to Abe's past denial in the Diet of the allegation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2018
Top Japanese government spokesman denies reports Abe is wavering on submission of LDP proposal for constitutional revision
Yoshihide Suga rebutted the reports by repeating the prime minister's official stance, saying LDP lawmakers will seek to put together a unified formal party proposal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 3, 2018
Abe's latest Cabinet reshuffle casts doubt on 'womenomics' policy
While the prime minister has declared boosting the profile of professional women a top policy priority, Tuesday's reshuffle reduced the number of female ministers to just one.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 2, 2018
Prioritizing stability, Abe retains key ministers in Cabinet reshuffle while rewarding allies
Abe retained what he called the “foundation” of his administration but the 19-member Cabinet also has 12 lawmakers who have never held any portfolio before.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2018
Ex-Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo tells LDP meeting introducing daylight saving time by 2020 will be 'difficult'
Former Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo said Thursday it would be difficult to introduce daylight saving time ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, a move that has been discussed as a way to mitigate the problem of scorching heat during the sporting event.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2018
Japanese government to mull new work visa to help more labor-hungry professions: top government spokesman
...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2018
'Outrageous prejudice': Publisher suspends publication of Shincho 45 following furor in LGBT community
Shinchosha Publishing announced its Shincho 45 magazine will effectively fold after carrying articles that its president said contained “outrageous prejudice” against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 20, 2018
Abe tops Ishiba in Liberal Democratic Party election and secures historic third term
Japan's prime minister comfortably beat his only contender, securing 553 out of a total 807 votes.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2018
Abe-Ishiba debate highlights candidates' lack of concrete plans to tackle fundamental problems
A debate illustrates Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's differences on how to overcome some of the most fundamental problems Japan faces.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 14, 2018
Abe says Putin comment reflects Russian leader's 'enthusiasm' to sign peace treaty
The prime minister vehemently denied Friday that his diplomacy to resolve the territorial dispute with Russia had ended in failure.

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