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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
Jul 29, 2016
Lesser-known candidates in the Tokyo gubernatorial race make their case
After largely being overlooked and receiving scant media coverage, 15 lesser-known candidates in Sunday's Tokyo gubernatorial election had a last chance on Friday to make their case on how they would shake-up the mega city.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 26, 2016
Tanigaki has spinal surgery, may not retain post in looming LDP shake-up
Sadakazu Tanigaki, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has undergone surgery for a spinal injury that was much more serious than originally let on.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 25, 2016
Imperial abdication talk poses question of Japan's next era
As the news reverberated throughout Japan earlier this month that Emperor Akihito intended to relinquish his throne while alive — in the first such move in about 200 years — the nation was struck by one of the biggest implications of his exit: the arrival of a new era.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2016
Emperor's abdication plan poses challenges for Japan's Imperial system
A day after news broke of Emperor Akihito's plans to abdicate, discussion turned to when and how an emperor can be allowed to quit.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 13, 2016
Utsunomiya withdraws from Tokyo gubernatorial race to boost opposition-supported Torigoe
One day before campaigning kicks off in Tokyo's gubernatorial election, major contender Kenji Utsunomiya withdraws to give the opposition a better chance.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016
Exit polls show Japan's young voters wanted to go with the flow by voting for coalition
Media exit polls show that a majority of those in their 20s or younger voted for the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, in Sunday's Upper House election. Observers said the result doesn't necessarily reflect their active support for the ruling coalition but rather their wish to...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016
LDP-led ruling bloc, allies clear two-thirds majority hurdle in Upper House poll
The Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition scored a sweeping victory in the Upper House election Sunday that gave the Diet's pro-revision forces the two-thirds majority needed to initiate Japan's first constitutional referendum, final results showed Monday morning.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2016
Election strengthens LDP as opposition flounders; Abe says talks to begin on constitutional revision
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was all smiles Sunday night after being asked to put flower symbols next to the names of his party’s numerous successful candidates, in a post-election appearance at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2016
TV star Ishida announces intention to run for Tokyo governor
Ishida said he wouldn't go out of his way to seek endorsement from the opposition but wanted to stand against “Abe's monolithic administration.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jul 8, 2016
Young voters hope to reform Japan's 'silver democracy'
A revised law has expanded the electorate by 2.4 million voters aged 18 and 19 and is designed to give more political say to younger generations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 8, 2016
Wakayama youth group urges teens to 'end voting virginity'
End your virginity while you are still a teenager.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jul 7, 2016
Showdown in apathetic Fukushima finds justice minister scrambling for survival
Justice Minister Mitsuhide Iwaki is feeling threatened.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 5, 2016
LDP's Tokyo chapter puts off anointing gubernatorial pick until after Upper House election
The Tokyo branch of the Liberal Democratic Party won't choose its candidate for the July 31 gubernatorial race until after Sunday's Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 29, 2016
Former LDP defense chief Koike goes rogue, announces bid to be Tokyo's first female governor
The LDP veteran bucks her party, throwing her hat into the ring for the gubernatorial election slated for next month.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2016
Kanto region facing serious summer drought, possible water restrictions
The Tokyo area may experience a crippling drought this summer, possibly triggering a raft of restrictions, due to an 'unprecedented' shortage of water in lakes and reservoirs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 27, 2016
DP's Okada challenges Abe to TV debate ahead of Upper House election in open letter
The president of the biggest opposition party on Monday dared Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to face him in a televised debate over the next two weeks leading up to the Upper House election, calling his refusal to do so unheard-of in recent years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / LEADERS SPEAK
Jun 27, 2016
DP's Okada warns Abe is distracting voters from his goal to rewrite Constitution
A strong victory for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party in next month's Upper House election would spell an end to postwar pacifism and "completely change the way Japan is," according to Democratic Party leader Katsuya Okada.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / LEADERS SPEAK
Jun 23, 2016
Upper House poll a chance to preserve pacifist Constitution, says JCP's Shii
As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe steers the nation away from pacifism, the coming Upper House election is a chance to voice opposition to this new course, according to Kazuo Shii, who heads the Japanese Communist Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jun 22, 2016
Abe plays economic card but opposition targets his 'hidden' agenda in Upper House election battle
The poll could pave the way for Abe to revise the U.S.-drafted Constitution nationalists see as a humiliating remnant of WWII.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 21, 2016
Abe to 'take responsibility' if ruling bloc fails to win 61 seats in Upper House election
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will take the blame if the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling bloc fails to win more than a majority in the Upper House election.

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