Masami Ito - The Japan Times

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Masami Ito

Meta

Masami Ito

Masami is a staff writer for the Life and Culture Division at The Japan Times. She is in charge of the weekly Sunday Timeout, covering various issues related to Japan, from alcohol/drug addiction and juvenile crime to female sushi chefs and kendama. Over her 15-year career, she has written extensively on Japanese politics, foreign policy and social issues.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jan 27, 2005

High court refuses to acknowledge police negligence led to fatal stalking

The parents of a woman who was murdered in 1999 by a group of men linked to her ex-boyfriend failed Wednesday to win recognition that the negligence by Saitama police who failed to act on her complaint of stalking and harassment led to her slaying.

JAPAN

Jan 26, 2005

Five Kurdish refugees may be sent to a third country

JAPAN

Jan 22, 2005

Deportees' compatriot wins a month's reprieve

is greeted by his family Friday at the Immigration Bureau in Minato Ward, Tokyo, after renewing his provisional release.

JAPAN

Jan 21, 2005

Tokyo under fire for deporting refugees

Japan has long caught flak for being closed to asylum-seekers, and the deportation this week of two Kurds from Turkey — despite their U.N. recognition as "mandate refugees" — has brought the government under a fresh attack.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jan 19, 2005

Japan defies U.N., deports refugees

Acting with uncharacteristic speed, the Justice Ministry bundled a Kurdish father and his son, both U.N.-recognized refugees, onto a plane and sent them back to Turkey on Tuesday, a day after they visited the Immigration Bureau to extend their provisional release.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jan 15, 2005

Long-term overstayers' cause championed

Supporters of seven Bangladeshi men who are being detained for overstaying their visas gathered Friday in front of the Justice Ministry to demand their release, saying the men have established their lives in this country.

JAPAN

Jan 14, 2005

Murders-for-insurance ringleader's death penalty upheld

The Tokyo High Court on Thursday upheld the death penalty for a moneylender for the murder of two men and attempted murder of another for life insurance.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 31, 2004

Lightning strike alters teen's life in a flash

It was summer 1996: A typhoon was approaching Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, and a thunderstorm advisory was in effect.

Japan Times

Dec 31, 2004

Lightning strike alters teen's life in a flash

It was summer 1996: A typhoon was approaching Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, and a thunderstorm advisory was in effect.

JAPAN

Dec 25, 2004

Ministry ponders role of crime victims

The Justice Ministry released an interim report Friday on measures to support people victimized by crime that lists pros and cons regarding their participation in trial and other criminal procedures.

JAPAN

Dec 21, 2004

Detainees seeking asylum claim abuse by guards

Lawyers working on behalf of people seeking asylum in Japan filed a criminal accusation Monday against the head of the Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center and its guards, alleging they assaulted and injured detainees.

JAPAN

Dec 17, 2004

JR Tokai rapped over snub for disabled

The Justice Ministry has told Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) that it should allow access to its stations by disabled people who use electric carts, officials said Thursday.

Dec 17, 2004

JR Tokai rapped over snub for disabled

The Justice Ministry has told Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) that it should allow access to its stations by disabled people who use electric carts, officials said Thursday.

JAPAN

Dec 16, 2004

Freelance journalist takes fight against press clubs to court

Japan's "kisha" press clubs have long been criticized for their closed, controlled nature and the various privileges solely accorded their members.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 16, 2004

High court convenes, snubs sex slave appeal, calls it a day

A cry of outrage tore through the public gallery as the Tokyo High Court dismissed an appeal by four Chinese women who were forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during the war.

JAPAN

Dec 14, 2004

Widow seeks damages over Monju leak

The widow of an official who committed suicide after lying during a probe into a 1995 accident at the Monju fast-breeder reactor demanded on Monday 148 million yen in damages from the reactor's operator.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 12, 2004

Guam native tells Tokyo gathering of WWII atrocities

Juanita Cruz was only 8 years old when she saw her mother being raped by Japanese soldiers. At 10, she saw her 5-year-old brother killed.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 11, 2004

Petition supports Kurdish refugees

A petition with more than 60,000 signatures supporting asylum for two Kurdish families from Turkey who staged a 72-day sit-in outside the United Nations University this summer was handed to the Justice Ministry on Friday.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 11, 2004

Kenyan marathoner struck blind turns disability into gold medals

Winner of three gold medals at the Sydney and Athens Paralympics, Henry Wanyoike also broke the world record at the marathon for the visually disabled held in Boston this year, completing the race in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 20 seconds.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / CLOSE-UP

Dec 5, 2004

Joji Yamamoto: Time to serve

Joji Yamamoto was a young, idealistic politician with a bright future -- but all that promise dissolved on Sept. 4, 2000, when he was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.

Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.

The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality

Omron helping firms achieve carbon neutrality

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports