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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
Jun 18, 2015
Japan set to ease visa rules for foreign ski instructors amid tourism surge
The central government may relax visa requirements for foreign ski instructors by next March, due to a surge in demand as more vacationers visit the country.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 16, 2015
Former victims dismiss ASIJ's sex abuse report as 'whitewash'
Victims of sex abuse committed by former American School in Japan teacher Jack Moyer and their supporters dismiss a report the school released as a 'whitewash' intended to minimize damage to its reputation.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2015
ASIJ sex abuse report is finally released, blames 'cultural taboos'
A 'historical lack of formal policies' and 'cultural taboos' allowed child sex abuse committed by former American School in Japan teacher Jack Moyer to go unchecked for decades, according to an independent legal team tasked with probing the pedophilia scandal.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2015
Shibuya might close streets to cars on weekends again
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward said Friday it may resume its old custom of closing two main streets to cars on weekends in hopes of invigorating the area in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in 2020.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2015
Tokyo is world's most livable city: Monocle magazine
The British lifestyle magazine Monocle has declared Tokyo the most livable city in the world in its annual quality of life survey, the company said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 10, 2015
Kobe murderer writes ambiguously of regret and pleasure from 1997 child killings
The killer says in a controversial autobiography that he was an “incorrigible sexual deviant” who took grim satisfaction in dissecting animals and, ultimately, in murdering other humans.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 5, 2015
American School in Japan admits covering up teacher's sex abuse for decades
In a long-awaited disclosure, a well-known international school in Tokyo admits to concealing decades of sexual abuse by a former teacher and apologizes.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 4, 2015
Some Japanese teens welcome move to reduce voting age, others apathetic
For high school student Aine Suzuki, the Lower House's move on Thursday to pass legislation that would reduce the voting age to 18 from the current 20 was akin to a dream come true.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 3, 2015
Cyclists take to social media to voice anger about new traffic regulations
Cyclists are taking to social media to complain about the ambiguity of new traffic regulations, some of which give police leeway to call violations on a case-by-case basis.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 28, 2015
High-tech toilets targeted to reel in tourists ahead of Olympics
Japan's high-tech toilets are nothing new but their growing popularity has prompted the government to use them as a tool to promote tourism and sell the technology abroad.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 26, 2015
Goto's mother alleges government inaction led to son's death at hands of Islamic State
The mother of journalist Kenji Goto, who was executed by the Islamic State group in January, has said her son died because of government inaction, contradicting officials' assertions the crisis was handled appropriately.
JAPAN / Society
May 22, 2015
First Japanese bill outlawing racism and hate speech submitted to Upper House
A group of lawmakers made history Friday by submitting a bill to the Upper House that would outlaw racism and hate speech.
JAPAN
May 22, 2015
Activist slams indifference to sexual exploitation of girls in 'JK' industry
An activist fighting the notorious "JK" industry has called on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to initiate efforts to eradicate the increasingly knotty problem of sex trafficking involving high school girls in Japan, describing the nation as too indifferent toward curbing child prostitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 21, 2015
Japan aquariums divided on move to ban Taiji dolphins
Some members of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums have applauded the decision. Others suggested they're considering whether to leave the group in order to procure wild dolphin.
JAPAN
May 18, 2015
'War orphans' from China to be surveyed this fall
The government will conduct a comprehensive survey this fall on the latest living conditions of war-displaced Japanese orphans repatriated from China and their descendants, with the aim of easing their educational and financial difficulties, a welfare ministry official said Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2015
Most common name for company chiefs in Japan is Makoto Sato: survey
If your name happens to be Makoto Sato, the chances of you rising through the corporate ranks all the way to the top are probably higher than others.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 14, 2015
Beloved Doraemon voice actress Nobuyo Oyama struggling with dementia
A veteran anime voice actress of Japan's beloved Doraemon robot cat is struggling with dementia, her talent agency and husband have revealed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 14, 2015
Japan's low-earning adults find it hard to leave home, marry
Freelance writer Kenji Ayase was 25 when he moved back in with his parents after finding he couldn't afford to live on his own. He tried, but found within a year that it just wasn't paying off.
JAPAN
May 12, 2015
Academics denounce 'foolish' policy of rewriting uncomfortable facts in school textbooks
Scholars representing three academic associations call on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to revise its 'foolish' rules dictating changes in school textbooks, which they allege are designed to indoctrinate pupils with certain political views.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 11, 2015
Tokyo ramps up 'English village' plan as 2020 approaches
As Tokyo gears up to host the 2020 Olympic Games, demands for action are growing to overcome Japan's notorious English-speaking phobia.

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