author

 
Menu
Search
 
November 22, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Tomoko Otake

Meta

Twitter

@Tomoko_Otake

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
May 30, 2023
Swedish chemist assumes presidency of prestigious Okinawa science institute
She has said will work closely with other academic institutions, industry and local partners to nurture the next generation of global leaders in science and business.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 30, 2023
Japan aims to halve allergy-triggering cedar pollen in 30 years
The proposal comes as pollen allergies, which are mostly caused by cedar trees, have become a major social concern, affecting an estimated 40% of the population.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 29, 2023
Doctors in Japan turn to crowdfunding to continue stroke treatment trial
The trial for the drug to treat acute stroke sufferers has hit a snag due to surging import costs, with the price of a vial going from ¥300,000 to ¥1.6 million.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 28, 2023
Japan slowly wakes up to health risks of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
Residents in western Tokyo have been testing themselves to measure their exposure, with results showing levels of the chemicals that could bring long-term health risks.
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.
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.

Podcast

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

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’
Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER