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April 11, 2025
 

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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 / Science & Health
Jun 26, 2016
Man in battle against cancer leads Japanese fight for medical use of marijuana
One afternoon earlier this month, Masamitsu Yamamoto showed up at the Tokyo District Court to attend a session of his criminal trial for an alleged violation of the Cannabis Control Law.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2016
Science Council to make clear position on lifting military-linked research ban by early next year
A committee of 15 academics with the Science Council of Japan held a meeting on whether to revise its long-held stance to never engage in military research.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 23, 2016
Family's pain over 2006 Yokosuka murder reflects desire for SOFA rethink
Justice has been a long time coming for Masanori Yamazaki, whose common-law wife was murdered by a drunk U.S. sailor in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, 10 years ago, in an unprovoked assault.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Jun 19, 2016
Japanese researchers take artificial intelligence toward the final frontier: creativity
It was a dark, overcast day, with clouds hovering low.
JAPAN / Media
Jun 17, 2016
Minor’s death sentence sees Japan media split on anonymity rule
The debate centers on whether to name a man who lost an appeal against a death sentence for a 2010 double murder.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2016
Android version of literary giant Natsume Soseki to return to alma mater to lecture
An android version of the noted scribe is slated to visit Nishogakusha University next year and deliver lectures.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 3, 2016
Case of missing boy receives mix of sympathy and criticism from residents, experts
Japan let out a sigh of relief Friday after a 7-year-old Hokkaido boy was found alive following an intensive six-day search by hundreds of police, firefighters and Self-Defense Force troops.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 2, 2016
Obama reworked Hiroshima speech many times in bid to find right balance
U.S. president's top speechwriter says Obama worked hard to make sure it was 'a broad reflection on what we must learn from history.'
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2016
On streets of Tokyo, opinion divided over tax-hike delay
Passers-by polled by reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday were split over the prospect of another delay to the consumption tax hike.
JAPAN
May 30, 2016
Science Council of Japan considers overturning long-held opposition to military research
The nation's largest and most powerful group of scientists has started discussing lifting its decades-old ban on defense-related research as the government seeks more collaboration with civilians in the development of weapons technology.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 24, 2016
In first interview since '14, scandal-hit Obokata says she has received job offers from U.S., Germany
Disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata says she has received offers from American and German scientists to continue her research.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 18, 2016
Foreign tourist numbers top record for second straight month in Japan
The number of foreign visitors to Japan in April hit a single-month record of 2.08 million, topping the 2 million mark for the second month in a row, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced Wednesday.
JAPAN
May 11, 2016
Tokyo's governor becomes embroiled in fresh public funding scandal
Yoichi Masuzoe once again finds himself mired in ignominy, this time over a possible violation of political funding laws.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 6, 2016
Sex assault likely at evacuation centers, groups warn
Support groups in Kumamoto raise the alarm about sexual assault as the lack of privacy in evacuation shelters gives rise to risky safety conditions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 6, 2016
250,000 Japanese engaged in 'double care' of children, adult family members: survey
An estimated 253,000 people are currently shouldering the double burden of raising children while also caring for sick or elderly family members, a recent survey by the Cabinet Office has found.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 2, 2016
New law bans bias against people with disabilities, but shortcomings exist, say experts
On April 1, a new law aimed at advancing the rights of people with disabilities took effect explicitly banning discrimination against them and requiring government bodies and private-sector businesses to pay greater attention to their needs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 1, 2016
App to let men test sperm count at home
Infertility is a growing concern in rapidly depopulating Japan. But it is often seen as a women's problem, even though both sexes can be to blame.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 27, 2016
Untimely call of nature leads to inspiration for pocket toilet-time monitor
Business ideas are often hatched in unlikely places. But for Atsushi Nakanishi, an epiphany could not have hit him at a worse time.
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2016
'Hometown donation' system emerges as effective way to help quake victims
Amid a flurry of fundraising and charity projects launched in the wake of last week's deadly earthquakes in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, the "hometown tax donation system" is gaining attention as a way of getting money directly to affected municipalities.
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2016
'Economy-class syndrome' concerns grow as Kyushu quake toll rises to 47
One woman has died and at least 23 others are suspected of suffering from so-called economy-class syndrome after evacuating from their homes in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Wall Street will regret helping the world burn
Wall Street banks, under political pressure and tempted by short-term gains, are abandoning climate commitments and pouring billions into fossil fuels, risking both environmental catastrophe and massive future economic losses.
Trump's tariff gambit leaves Asia stunned and scrambling
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he attends the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner in Washington on Tuesday. Trump allowed new tariffs — including a 24% levy on Japan — to go into effect as scheduled on Wednesday.
Japan and U.S. appoint tariff negotiators after Ishiba-Trump phone call
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa enters the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Japanese makers rush to mitigate possible Nankai Trough earthquake damage
Toyota is considering transferring some production in the key Tokai region, which is expected to be hit hard in a Nankai Trough earthquake, to the Tohoku and Kyushu regions.
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
An ongoing shortage of rice has resulted in rising prices for Japan's main food staple.
Who is Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's tariffs negotiator?
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has appointed Japan's tariff negotiator, is one of his closest allies and busiest ministers.
After a tumultuous buildup, a first look at the Osaka Expo
A large statue of Osaka Expo mascot Myaku Myaku sits near the east entrance of the event's venue in Yumeshima island, Osaka, on Wednesday.
Japan gets a new U.S. ambassador — and he has his work cut out for him
George Glass, U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to be ambassador to Japan, attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on March 13.
Online art scene eager to go offline, at least for the moment
Digital artist Polygon1993 revels in the physicality of nostalgic technology, making art out of materials such as miniature CDs, holographic prints layered with plexiglass shards and a giant custom-made floppy disk.
Tottori takes a bold leap forward in the arts
The city of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture celebrated the opening of its public art museum with festivities such as a parade that drew 1,000 revelers.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

An ongoing shortage of rice has resulted in rising prices for Japan's main food staple.
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
By Alex K.T. Martin

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