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November 21, 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 / WORKING IT OUT
Feb 5, 2002
Are 'freeters' result of slump, source of next one?
Tomoko Noguchi, 22, got her first bar hostess job about three years ago, while studying to become an aesthetician at a vocational school.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2001
Pediatrics strained to breaking point
It was just after midnight one recent weekend in the emergency room of Showa University Hospital in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. Pediatrician Katsura Sugihara was treating his 12th patient of the night, when the phone rang.
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 13, 2001
Afghan aid groups persevere despite danger
Prospects for the upcoming winter in Afghanistan were bleak enough before Sept. 11, as years of drought destroyed crops and drove millions of people toward famine.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2001
Readers reach out with fund
Total contributions to The Japan Times Readers' Fund in 2000 came to 3,401,372 yen.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2001
Author draws strength from illness to warn of market crisis
A life-threatening illness often focuses a person's mind on the meaning of life. For writer Main Kohda, the fear she may have developed cancer changed her life.
JAPAN
Oct 11, 2001
Web gossip sparks corporate anger
Two major life insurers were battered by a swirl of rumors in September as several message boards on a popular Web site began predicting their demise.
JAPAN
Oct 9, 2001
New Yorker sends paper cranes home
An American teacher at an international school in Niigata is helping New Yorkers heal from the shock of last month's terrorist attacks by sending letters, artwork and paper cranes from local residents to schools throughout Manhattan.
BUSINESS
Sep 25, 2001
Financial impact of terrorist attacks to be limited, expert says
The long-term effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. on the global economy and financial markets will be limited, despite the negative sentiment prevailing at many bourses, according to a former Tokyo branch manager for J.P. Morgan.
JAPAN
Sep 7, 2001
Top U.N. official criticizes Japan's plan to cut back on ODA
Japan's plan to cut back on official development assistance will worsen the nation's economic prospects by shrinking the volume of trade it enjoys with the rest of the world, a high-ranking official of the United Nations Development Program said.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2001
Writer bucks corporate norm
Writer Hamao Yokota seems to enjoy portraying an eccentric image.
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2000
Priest on quest for schools in Cambodia
Fumio Goto never imagined that he would end up helping to build schools in Cambodia when he first accepted refugees from the country in 1981.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2000
New law means marching orders for bad tenants
Motokazu Miyama's big fear is one probably shared by hundreds of thousands of other property-owners in Japan: What if unwelcome tenants refuse to leave after the apartment lease expires?
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2000
UNICEF ambassador blames politics for plight of children
In 17 years as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi has seen the worst of what could happen to children around the world.
BUSINESS
Sep 4, 2000
Japanese seen embracing a risky future
At 30, Tetsushi Nakamura is a seasoned stock investor. The system engineer from Hibarigaoka, Saitama Prefecture, got his hands on stocks when he was in his fourth year of elementary school, buying shares of a construction company on his dad's advice.
BUSINESS
Jul 18, 2000
BOJ decision said to be ambiguous
The Bank of Japan's decision Monday to leave the "zero-interest-rate" policy unchanged did not surprise many, given the shock financial markets received from the virtual bankruptcy last week of department store operator Sogo Co.
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2000
FRC may detail Sogo bailout
The Financial Reconstruction Commission is to consider whether it can disclose the numerical data that led to the government's decision to forgive loans to troubled department store chain Sogo Co., the newly appointed FRC chairman said.
BUSINESS
Jun 27, 2000
Amex out to change 'stereotypes' of card users
American Express International is trying to change the widely held perception in Japan that only affluent customers use American Express, and only for overseas travel.
BUSINESS
Jun 16, 2000
BTM will survive competition of new era, future chief says
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, currently the biggest bank in Japan, will strive to survive intensifying competition in the banking industry by utilizing its mostly upscale retail customer base and solid international networks, the future president of the bank said.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2000
Public 'on strike' against state
The economy has stayed in a prolonged slump because the public is "subconsciously" on strike against lawmakers for their lack of vision for the future, said Mizue Tsukushi, president of The Good Bankers asset management firm.
BUSINESS
Jun 1, 2000
Unclear rules hinder day trading in Japan
Hajime Mabuchi is an early riser. After sobering up in a hot Jacuzzi at his home in a Seattle suburb, he takes some vitamins and drives to a nearby Starbucks coffee shop. He arrives at 6 a.m.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
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.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
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.

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