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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 / Society
Nov 22, 2020
Japan faces balancing act over virus clusters among foreign nationals
Talk of the issue underlines the delicate balance the government is trying to strike between stopping foreign communities from becoming hot spots and preventing discrimination.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Nov 15, 2020
Japan's male babysitters battle stigma and stereotypes
A series of high-profile cases involving pedophiles has left agencies struggling to balance child protection against discrimination.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2020
Desire to see Trump ousted prods Gen Z voters in Japan to back Biden
Focus on police brutality, climate change and LGBTQ equality drives opposition to U.S. president among Temple University students, but endorsement of Biden only lukewarm.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 29, 2020
Japan's specialist cleaners find new purpose and demand in pandemic
Usually tasked with cleaning up the aftermath of suicide, the squalor of derelict houses and post-disaster debris, the virus has created a boom for the niche industry.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 15, 2020
Japan boosts checks on Chinese students amid fears of campus spying
Compared to a crackdown by Washington, measures by Tokyo are baby steps, but many believe it is vital to follow the U.S. lead in order to safeguard Japan's universities.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2020
'Shocking discrimination': Japan's sex industry cries foul over exclusion from government aid
A lawsuit has ignited a debate over whether the sector should qualify for subsidies, laying bare a deep-seated distrust of an industry often associated with immorality.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2020
As the new administrative reform minister, Taro Kono declares war on fax machines
Kono said his ongoing crusade against hanko will go a long way toward phasing out the nation's entrenched fixation on fax.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2020
Meet Japan's new top government spokesman, same as the last one
Some believe what appealed most to Yoshihide Suga about Katsunobu Kato, the new chief Cabinet secretary, is how much he resembles the new prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2020
Nobuo Kishi, Abe's younger brother, seeks to carve out new role as Japan's defense chief
Past statements suggest the 61-year-old is aligned with his brother ideologically, having spent his career championing hawkish attitudes in defense and diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 16, 2020
Suga expected to take back seat in shaping Japan's foreign policy
A dearth of diplomatic experience means he'll be relying heavily on key Cabinet ministers and his predecessor's playbook.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 15, 2020
Can behind-the-scenes operator Suga excel as Japan’s prime minister?
Seldom has he been recognized for leadership ability, and his identity as a nonhereditary politician sets him apart from the scions who have led the nation for decades.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2020
The 'Iron Wall,' the 'prince' and the 'military geek': A look at the trio vying to lead Japan
Shigeru Ishiba, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida are aiming to become party president — and by default, the nation's next prime minister — in the Sept. 14 election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2020
Harsher treatment or second chances? Japan at crossroads in juvenile law debate
A Justice Ministry panel has proved sharply split over whether to exclude 18- and 19-year-olds from correctional programs guaranteed by the law.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2020
Yokota Air Base showcases U.S. military's commitment to new COVID-19 normal
The base in western Tokyo, which is home to around 12,000 people, has adopted a rigorous program of measures to isolate any novel coronavirus infections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 30, 2020
The disease that felled Shinzo Abe — twice
Abe's surprise decision to resign was triggered by a chronic bowel disease known as ulcerative colitis — an ailment he has battled since adolescence.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Aug 18, 2020
In an era of social distancing, the emperor might need social media
The emperor's attendance at a WWII memorial service last weekend was practically his first major public appearance in six months, and possibly his last this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 13, 2020
Japan’s maglev project derailed by pandemic and environmental fears
Shizuoka's governor is refusing to greenlight crucial work for the whopping u00a59 trillion project, and COVID-19 has caused a reassessment of future demand.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 3, 2020
Okinawa virus outbreaks ignite scrutiny of U.S. SOFA privileges
The Okinawa clusters have illustrated anew how Japan's authority as a host country is weaker than that of some peers in Europe and Asia.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jul 30, 2020
Good time for a 'workation' but is Japan Inc. ready?
Are the nation's employers ready to let workers telecommute from hotels, resorts and other destinations where they can escape the mundane reality of life?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2020
Tokyo logs 366 new coronavirus cases, topping 300 for first time
The single-day record came as Koike requested residents stay home as much as possible during the four-day weekend due to a spike in cases.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?