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November 22, 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 / Society
Jul 19, 2017
Citizens group calls for review on use of restraints after New Zealand teacher’s death
A scholar and the family of a New Zealander who died after being tied to a hospital bed for 10 days forms a group that will push for a review of restraints at hospitals.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 18, 2017
Family blames prolonged use of restraints at Kanagawa hospital for English teacher's death
JET instructor died after being restrained on his hospital bed for 10 days, his family says, highlighting a widespread practice at nation's psychiatric hospitals
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 13, 2017
After rape allegation against TV journalist, Shiori hopes to shed light on victims' plight
Since she went public in late May with a rape accusation against a high-profile TV reporter, Shiori has been exposed to a storm of hurtful and derisive comments by anonymous internet users.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 13, 2017
Japan's expanded sex crime laws go into effect
Seen as a significant step forward, amendments to the sex crime laws take effect, but the nation still has a ways to go, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
Jul 12, 2017
Straw poll of American expats finds over half feel repeal of Obamacare would discourage them from returning to U.S.
The bill before the U.S. Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as "Obamacare," has American residents in Japan worried, with some saying the nullification would prevent them from returning home.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
Jun 28, 2017
Hokkaido cancer survivor's hand-sewn breast pads offer a softer path to recovery
Following her experience losing a breast to cancer and the need for a comfortable way to cover the area of her body, a Hokkaido seamstress developed a cotton breast pad that is now sold across the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
Jun 21, 2017
Japanese researchers collect first-person accounts of experiences with disease
When you have a health problem, there's a story that only you — not your doctor or family — can tell.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
Jun 14, 2017
Transplants using iPS cells put Riken specialist at forefront of regenerative medicine research
When she entered medicine in the mid-1980s, Masayo Takahashi chose ophthalmology as her specialty, she said, because she wanted to have a family and thought the discipline would spare her from sudden work calls in the middle of the night, helping her best balance work and life.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2017
Giant panda Shin Shin gives birth to cub — and hope — at Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo announced the birth of its first giant panda in five years on Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
Jun 7, 2017
Experts caution against idea that more is better in medical care
Since Japan established universal health coverage in 1961, it has ceaselessly worked to expand its health care services, in the belief that providing more extensive coverage for a wide variety of patient needs will contribute to the well-being of its citizens.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 5, 2017
Study abroad and travel agencies on edge in wake of London Bridge attack
Japanese travel agencies and study abroad companies report no casualties or cancellations related to the terrorism turmoil in London but say they are warily mulling their options.
JAPAN
May 31, 2017
Prime Minister Abe unveils government push to solve day care crunch
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Wednesday his government will create 220,000 new day care spots, bringing the number of children on the waiting list for nurseries to zero by 2020.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 31, 2017
Soccer star Honda's tweet on government suicide data draws criticism by some, praise by others
Soccer star Keisuke Honda has caused a stir on social media with an impassioned "motivational" tweet he posted in response to a news report about Tuesday's government white paper on suicide.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
May 31, 2017
Japan violating anti-smoking treaty by bowing to tobacco industry, expert says
The government's move to ban smoking in indoor public places ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has hit a snag due to staunch resistance from lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party trumpeting smokers' rights and the need to protect the tobacco industry.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 30, 2017
Suicides down, but Japan still second highest among major industrialized nations, report says
The nation's suicide rate is the sixth highest in the world and the second worst among eight major industrialized countries, a government report released Tuesday said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2017
Japanese residents of Manchester shaken by terrorist attack
Japanese residents in Manchester, England, expressed shock that the deadly terrorist attack at a concert hall took place in a city known for welcoming different cultures.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
May 24, 2017
Experts say Japan should examine male infertility amid falling birthrate
In mid-December, when news emerged that the number of newborn babies in Japan in 2016 would likely fall below 1 million for the first time since the government started collecting data in 1899, it sparked a renewed debate on how to reverse the downtrend in the fertility rate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 17, 2017
Continuing streak, Japan leads world in life expectancy, WHO report says
People in Japan continue to outlive those in other countries, marking the world's longest average life expectancy of 83.7 years, according to the latest World Health Organization report released Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / A MATTER OF HEALTH
May 17, 2017
Looking beyond abstinence, Kanagawa facility opens Japan's first 'controlled drinking' program
Have a drinking problem? Don't worry, you can keep drinking while working to get over it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 15, 2017
Medical big data to be pooled for disease research and drug development in Japan
Last month a bill aimed at facilitating medical research through the use of patient records stored at medical institutions cleared the Diet.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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