author

 
 
 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
Jul 8, 2022
Former PM Shinzo Abe in 'serious condition' after being shot in Nara
The former prime minister was attacked while giving a campaign speech ahead of Sunday's Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2022
New surge in COVID-19 cases across Japan prompts alarm
The spike in cases comes at a time when people are planning summer holidays and large, in-person events have begun to return.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 6, 2022
Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics
Despite moves to draw more women to public office, Japan remains far behind other developed countries, in part due to abuse on the campaign trail.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 5, 2022
Japanese research project aims to create Earth-like artificial gravity
The study by Kyoto University and construction firm Kajima hopes to bring ideas out of sci-fi and into reality by enabling humans to live outside of Earth.
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.

Longform

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