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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 / Science & Health
May 25, 2023
Small measles outbreak in Japan raises alarm
The most recent infections appear to have happened to strangers riding the same shinkansen for less than three hours.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 19, 2023
Japan's new COVID cases see small rise in first count since downgrade
By prefecture, Okinawa saw the highest average of 6.07 new patients per clinic in the week through Sunday, followed by 4.9 in Ishikawa, 4.36 in Hokkaido and 4.3 in Niigata.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 19, 2023
Scientists urge G7 leaders to improve vaccine access in developing countries
Advocates used the summit to push back against the pharmaceutical industry’s pressure to strengthen intellectual property rights.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / FOCUS
May 18, 2023
Japan has a new vaccine research funding unit for future pandemics — is it up to the task?
The country lacked a sense of urgency to prepare for potential outbreaks — this lack of preparedness has had a lasting impact.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 12, 2023
IAEA says public trust key to projects using radioactive soil from Fukushima
A delegation toured the Nagadoro district in the village of Iitate, Fukushima, where a pilot project is ongoing to demonstrate the safety of soil covered by non-contaminated topsoil.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
May 9, 2023
Alert for 'long-period ground motion' issued for Ishikawa quake. But what is it?
The lesser known type of quake can cause violent shaking on the upper floors of tall buildings, as well as major structural damage.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 7, 2023
Japan steps into post-pandemic phase with scrapping of COVID measures
The move will have a far-reaching impact on the nation’s health care system and beyond, affecting everything from the cost of treatment to the reporting of COVID cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2023
Japan to drop COVID border measures from Saturday
All incoming passengers are currently required to present proof of at least three COVID-19 vaccinations or have tested negative for the virus before departure.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 26, 2023
Japanese startup fails in historic bid to put private lunar lander on moon
The firm, Ispace, is believed to have fallen short of making the world’s first private lunar landing after miscalculating the distance to the surface and running out of fuel.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2023
Foreign residents projected to make up 10% of Japan’s shrinking population in 2070
Japan’s population has been in decline since 2009, after peaking the year before at 128 million, and the downward trend is likely to continue.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 20, 2023
Despite hurdles, more political candidates hit campaign trail with young children
Politics in Japan has long been considered the domain of those who are capable of committing to the duty 24/7, marginalizing the voices of families with young children.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2023
Japan adopts national strategy on nuclear fusion as competition intensifies
The strategy comes as the global race heats up to develop and commercialize fusion — considered the ultimate emission-free energy source.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2023
Kishida's verbal slip sees Japan target new hay fever countermeasures
Steps likely to be taken are the periodic thinning of cedar trees, the utilization of the trees as timber and replanting forests with trees that produce less pollen.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2023
Justice Ministry panel backs abolishing Japan's foreign trainee program
The panel said a new system should be established that recognizes the interns as workers helping Japan overcome its labor shortage.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 6, 2023
Excess deaths doubled in Japan in 2022 — COVID-19 may be to blame
Despite being less pathogenic than previous coronavirus variants, omicron hit Japan's elderly population particularly hard last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 31, 2023
COVID measures will be up to Japan's businesses after downgrade
Requests for customers to sanitize their hands or have their temperatures taken are largely based on guidelines created by industries and will likely be less common after May 8.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2023
Japan’s COVID vaccine orders lacked solid estimate of demand, watchdog says
The health ministry failed to show enough grounds for its decision to procure a total of 882 million vaccine doses for the government-funded vaccination drive, the Board of Audit said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 29, 2023
Mpox cases slowly creeping up in Japan even as spread slows abroad
As of Tuesday, Japan had reported 80 cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, with the country seeing a gradual increase in new cases this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 19, 2023
Japan on high alert as avian flu rages across the country and heads north
Amid egg shortages and soaring prices, how worried should people be about the potential impacts of bird flu on human health?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2023
Kishida aims for half of new fathers to take child care leave in 2025
The prime minister also said he will aim to raise the rate to 85% by fiscal 2030, adding that the bold goals are necessary to reverse the declining birthrate.
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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