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July 16, 2024
 

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Tomoko Otake

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Tomoko Otake
Tomoko Otake is a senior writer with a strong interest in health, medical and social issues. A native of Nara Prefecture, she obtained an M.A. in journalism from The University of Montana.
Japan Times
JAPAN / New Normal 2.0
Jun 24, 2022
Japan begins return to business-as-usual at big events — but slowly
Recent trials of allowing cheering at soccer games are indicative of the approach toward large events in the coming months: a slow, highly cautious return to some aspects of normalcy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 24, 2022
Experts warn of 'twindemic' after early flu outbreak at Tokyo school
The prospect of a mixture of influenza and COVID-19 infections was raised after third grade classes were canceled at a school in Tachikawa due to unusually early instances of flu.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 23, 2022
Japanese panel postpones verdict on Shionogi’s COVID pill until July
The panel “could not reach a conclusion,” as its members were divided over several points including the efficacy of the drug, according to a health ministry official.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2022
Will a ¥10 trillion fund be the savior of Japan’s universities?
Experts say that without major reform of Japan's deeply ingrained academic culture, it will be hard to improve the quality of the nation's research — no matter how much money is spent.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2022
As Japan's verdict on Shionogi's COVID pill nears, questions persist over efficacy
There have been calls for Japan to acquire more weapons against COVID-19, especially domestically produced ones, but medical experts are unsure of the drug's merits.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 10, 2022
Experts call for caution as more people enter Japan without COVID screening at airports
As more people are expected to enter the country under relaxed border rules, experts are urging caution in case a highly pathogenic variant is detected abroad.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 9, 2022
COVID booster effective in preventing infection for 70% of population, Japan study says
Their findings came as U.S. biotech giant Moderna announced a new vaccine under development that targets the omicron variant.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 3, 2022
Long COVID takes toll as Japan patients seek answers
There are still a lot of unknowns about long COVID, including what exactly causes it and how best to treat it. But the scale of the problem alone is alarming.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2022
Skin rash more common in women after Moderna shot, Japan study finds
Swelling, pain and/or itchiness of the arm that received the vaccine was also more common among people in their 30s through 60s.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
May 25, 2022
Japan steps up monkeypox surveillance amid growing outbreak in Europe
More than 100 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America and Australia, but none have been found in Japan so far.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 20, 2022
Japan's latest COVID guidelines: Masks OK to come off outside when not chatting
In a bid to quell public confusion over outdoor mask-wearing, the government has released a set of guidelines on mask use.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 18, 2022
Kishida takes aim at Japan's primary care doctor system in response to pandemic
After COVID-19 patients were turned away from local physicians, the government began considering reforms to how private practice doctors operate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 12, 2022
Japan detects first cases of BA.4 and BA.5 omicron in airport screening
The three individuals were fully vaccinated with three shots, according to the health ministry.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 12, 2022
Japanese researcher suggests ties between omicron variant and severe hepatitis in children
Professor Hiroshi Nishiura told the coronavirus advisory board that countries with larger omicron infection rates report higher numbers of childhood hepatitis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
May 10, 2022
The coronavirus keeps subtly changing, but how serious are new subvariants?
In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no shortage of new coronavirus variants to track.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 6, 2022
Japan detects more probable cases of acute hepatitis in children
The number of potential cases has reached seven, the health ministry said Friday, with one patient also testing positive for the coronavirus.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 28, 2022
New COVID-19 subvariant found in Japan patient
The subvariant, detected in a patient from Sendai, has genetic information from both the B.A.1 and B.A. 2 omicron sublineages.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 28, 2022
Japan's mask debate grows as public urged to stay vigilant during Golden Week
Experts maintain that indoor ventilation and other basic prevention measures are still vital, as infection levels remain high in many places.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 25, 2022
Possible case of mysterious acute child hepatitis found in Japan
The patient, who has been hospitalized, corresponds to the working definition of a “probable case' of the acute, severe hepatitis provided by the World Health Organization.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / FOCUS
Apr 21, 2022
How Japan's slow acknowledgement of COVID's airborne spread has hampered its response
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced its determination late last month that COVID-19 can spread via aerosols. For many scientists, it was too little, too late.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

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

Longform

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

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