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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 / Science & Health
Jul 23, 2015
Genome project aims to diagnose patients with rare diseases
In a potential ray of hope for thousands of people with undiagnosed conditions, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development will refer such patients to a centralized network of specialists for genome analysis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 20, 2015
U.S. trans fat ban prompts call for better Japan labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's move last month to phase out artificial trans fats over three years from all processed foods has made few ripples in Japan, where there are currently no regulations on the oil.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 19, 2015
Tokyo hospitals to add five foreign doctors for expats
The government will allow five non-Japanese doctors to practice at four hospitals in Tokyo from around December. Their patients will be limited to non-Japanese who agree to pay full costs themselves.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Jul 19, 2015
Japan's hospitals weigh overseas branches, medical tourism in search for profit
Affluent foreigners represent attractive market, but Japan's health care industry is inexperienced in reaching out to foreigners.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 17, 2015
Young single Japanese less keen to have children
More single people in their 20s say they don't want any children, think it's costly and exhausting to raise them, and show little interest in kids in general, according to a new survey.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 14, 2015
Hamp case gave oxycodone a bad name, say doctors
The high-profile arrest of former Toyota Motor Corp. executive Julie Hamp last month over importing oxycodone might fuel prejudice in Japan against the narcotic painkillers and other strong pain-relieving drugs, experts fear.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 14, 2015
Explaining Japan's tough drug rules
Some medications available through prescription or over the counter in the U.S. are prohibited in Japan and cannot be brought into the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 25, 2015
Nintendo's virtual warriors secure same-sex marriage victory
In a sign of the growing embrace of diversity in virtual reality, Nintendo Co. said Thursday its Fire Emblem fantasy role-playing game series now allows characters to have same-sex relationships.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2015
Canadian sailor has Japan solo circumnavigation in sight
A Canadian ex-executive who once served as dean and president of Temple University Japan is getting closer to making history — as probably the first foreigner to sail solo around Japan.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jun 20, 2015
'Trying to conceive through science is a roller-coaster ride'
When Maiko Okada visited a fertility clinic in Tokyo for the first time five years ago, she was totally unprepared for the roller-coaster ride of emotions she would subsequently experience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 19, 2015
Gender equality goal for 2020 elusive: white paper
The government's goal of having women in 30 percent of all leadership positions in Japan by 2020 is looking unrealistic, the 2015 gender equality white paper says.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2015
Tourism body to poll spas on no-tattoo policy amid influx of foreign visitors with body art
The Japan Tourism Agency has begun surveying hot springs nationwide on their no-tattoo policies, as Japan sees more foreign visitors sporting body art.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 16, 2015
Consumer groups skeptical of health claims from new food labels
The first batch of products with new "functional food" labels will hit stores nationwide this week, amid controversy over regulatory policy that critics say is too lax.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2015
NHK filter gives viewers 'legal' way to avoid Japan's TV tax
An engineering professor at Tsukuba University says his device for TVs that filters out NHK's signal provides a legal basis for not paying subscription fees to to the public broadcaster.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 2, 2015
Japan Pension Service hack used classic attack method
The massive leak last month of personal data from the Japan Pension Service was the result of a simple error by its employees: opening a virus-laced email attachment disguised as a health ministry document.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 2, 2015
Some experts doubt shift to generic drugs is best prescription for health care system
In a desperate bid to stem the rise in health care costs, the government is reining in one of its biggest medical outlays: prescription drugs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 1, 2015
1.25 million affected by Japan Pension Service hack
The nation's pension system has been hacked, with more than a million cases of personal data leaked in an embarrassment that revives memories of a scandal that helped topple Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his first term in office.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 25, 2015
With hate speech bill, Osaka grapples with freedom of expression
The Osaka Municipal Government has proposed an ordinance aimed at curbing hate speech against racial and ethnic minorities in the city, where verbal and other attacks against Korean residents have intensified in recent years.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 21, 2015
Japan losing cancer battle on smoking, screenings front
The central government will probably miss its goal of lowering the cancer mortality rate by 20 percent over 10 years, the National Cancer Center says.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 20, 2015
Japan aquariums vote to stop using dolphins from Taiji
The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums announced Wednesday that it will ban its members from buying dolphins caught off the town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, amid protests from activists and pressure from a global industry body to stop the practice.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
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.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
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.
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.

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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Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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