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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 / Crime & Legal
Jul 27, 2016
Cervical cancer vaccine suit filed over side effects
Sixty-three women and girls who reported side effects from cervical cancer vaccines sued the government and drugmakers on Wednesday as a sharp divide remained over the risks the medicine poses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 27, 2016
Medical marijuana advocate dies of cancer while on trial
A liver cancer patient who was fighting drug possession charges dies after spending his last days in court lobbying for medical use of marijuana in Japan.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 26, 2016
Sagamihara killings reveal shortcomings in law to control knives
Tuesday's stabbing rampage in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, has highlighted the difficulty of reigning in crimes involving knives, despite a recent revision to the Firearm and Sword Control Law.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2016
Tokyo gamers get first taste of 'Pokemon Go' after weeks of waiting
People young and old rushed to try out "Pokemon Go" on Friday, snaring monsters on the streets of Tokyo and searching for them in trains and offices as the GPS-crossover game finally launched in Japan.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 22, 2016
Five-year survival rate for cancer patients improving, report shows
The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with cancer from 2006 till 2008 was 62.1 percent, up 3.5 percentage points from the preceding three years, according to the latest statistics released by the National Cancer Center.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2016
Warnings issued ahead of Japan release of 'Pokemon Go'
Excitement for the imminent Japan launch of "Pokemon Go" has reached such fever pitch that government authorities and business executives are warning prospective gamers against accidents even before its release.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2016
In first, Tepco admits ice wall can't stop Fukushima No. 1 groundwater
The much-hyped ice wall at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant can't stop groundwater from entering its leaky, wrecked reactor buildings, Tokyo Electric admits.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 19, 2016
Plastic debris in oceans a growing hazard as toxins climb the food chain
Plastic is part of the fabric of everyday life, from bags to bottles to synthetic clothing. In 2014, global production amounted to 311 million tons, up from 225 million tons in 2004, according to manufacturers group Plastics Europe.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2016
Ex-JET teachers eyed to help improve English-language tourist information
Former Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme participants (JET program) could be tapped to improve English-language information at cultural landmarks under a proposal being considered by the Cultural Affairs Agency.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 15, 2016
Cancer diagnoses in 2016 expected to top 1 million for first time
A record 1.01 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, the first time the figure has topped the 1 million mark, the National Cancer Center said Friday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 6, 2016
Shinzato denies rape, says prejudging by public denies him 'fair trial' in Okinawa
An American man charged with raping and murdering a 20-year-old Okinawan woman says he did not intend to kill her.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 4, 2016
Japanese firms assess work prospects, staff safety in Bangladesh after attack
The terrorist attack in Dhaka has dampened prospects for Japanese firms that in recent years have grown more dependent on Bangladesh.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 1, 2016
In a first, genome-editing used to make immunodeficient marmosets for insight into human diseases
In a world's first, Japanese researchers produce immunodeficient marmosets via genome-editing technology to study maladies that more closely resemble human diseases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 30, 2016
Landmark cancer study reveals huge regional gaps in incidence rates; lifestyle habits may be to blame
A landmark study of cancer diagnoses in Japan has revealed huge regional gaps in incidence rates in what one official said reflected notable differences in lifestyle habits across the country.
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 Times
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.

Longform

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