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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 / Society
Oct 21, 2016
Lower House committee passes bill to shake up Japan's foreign trainee program
The bill is intended to shake up a state-sponsored foreign traineeship program slammed by critics as akin to modern slavery.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2016
In move that may benefit Abe, LDP to extend term limit for party presidency
The ruling could possibly see Prime Minister Shinzo Abe running for a third term in 2018.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 19, 2016
Opposition up in arms after Cabinet minister suggests TPP could be steamrolled through Diet
Japan's agriculture minister found himself in hot water Wednesday after noting that a state-backed bill to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement may be steamrolled through the ongoing extraordinary session of the Diet.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 18, 2016
LDP sets aside 2012 draft constitution ahead of Diet debate on revision
As Diet debate on constitutional revision draws near, the ruling party decides to put a freeze on its draft constitution, which critics have slammed as reminiscent of Japan's wartime military government.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2016
Renho admits she started process to get Japanese nationality only this month
Democratic Party President Renho revealed that she only made her official declaration to choose Japanese nationality over Taiwanese this month, an admission that she has still failed to take the legally obliged steps to end her dual citizenship status.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2016
Japan hoping to pressure U.S. to follow its lead on TPP
Undeterred by vigorous opposition in the U.S. to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Abe administration expressed determination Friday to swiftly ratify the free trade agreement and pressure Washington to follow in its footsteps.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 13, 2016
Abe urges Renho to prove her status under the law with release of family registry
Prime Minister Abe adds fresh fuel to the flames of his opponents ongoing dual passport controversy.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 11, 2016
By-election campaigns that may prompt Abe to call snap election kick off
Campaigning for two pivotal by-elections in Tokyo and Fukuoka get underway.Campaigning for two pivotal by-elections in Tokyo and Fukuoka get underway.
BUSINESS
Oct 7, 2016
LDP gets cold feet on axing spousal tax break
In the latest sign that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will not reform a tax break that has long been viewed as a disincentive for working women, Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai appeared to walk back his earlier support for the reform.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 7, 2016
Suga, Inada admit to filling out blank expense receipts
Two key members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet have admitted to filling out blank receipts as part of their expense claims, raising questions about their ethics and the efficacy of a political funds control law.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2016
Abe admits dual citizenship for ministers, officials 'problematic'
Public interest in the issue has grown after it emerged newly elected Democratic Party leader Renho had neglected to renounce her Taiwanese citizenship.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 5, 2016
Abe sidesteps opposition grilling on LDP's draft constitution
Abe refuses to respond to criticism of the LDP's 2012 draft constitution in a move DP leader Renho calls “dumbfounding.”
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2016
Defense chief Tomomi Inada hit with tough Diet grilling as DP resorts to old blame-game tactics
Opposition lawmakers are bombarding rookie Defense Minister Tomomi Inada with a barrage of questions, attempting to trip her up, cast doubt on her abilities and even reduce her to tears.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 3, 2016
Looming Tokyo, Fukuoka by-elections may set stage for Lower House dissolution
From Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to newly elected opposition leader Renho and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, political leaders in Japan are setting their eyes on two key by-elections slated for later this month.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2016
Renho launches fiery critique of Abenomics in first Diet debate as DP leader
In her first parliamentary face-off with the prime minister, Renho unleashes a broadside against Abe's eponymous program.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2016
Abe goes toe-to-toe over TPP as Diet debate heats up
Brushing off recalcitrant opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterates his determination to swiftly ratify the multinational trade pact.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2016
Nippon Ishin submits bill to bar people with dual nationality from running for Diet
The conservative party Nippon Ishin no Kai proposes that people with dual citizenship be banned from serving in the Diet.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 25, 2016
As Diet opens, emboldened Abe sets sights on constitutional revision
After Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's victory in July's election, all eyes are now on just how serious he is about pursuing his goal of amending the pacifist Constitution.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 16, 2016
Economist questions report that income equality is holding steady
A Hitotsubashi University professor takes issue with a new report that indicates income inequality is not getting any worse in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2016
Renho elected leader of main opposition Democratic Party
The Democratic Party made history Thursday, electing Renho as the first female leader of the main opposition force.

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Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.