Tomohiro Osaki
The Japan Times
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Past articles by Tomohiro:
'A new chapter of my life began': A child of Japan's 'baby hatch' speaks out
Koichi Miyatsu was only a toddler when he was placed in the hatch at a hospital in Kumamoto, where children can be left anonymously by desperate family members. → Read More
Yours sincerely: singles charmed by Japanese letter-writing campaign
Singles in Miyazaki are being encouraged to put pen to paper in a low-tech search for their soulmate, part of municipal efforts to boost the low birth rate. → Read More
What's next for English-language education in Japan?
English has been at the heart of discussions over nationwide university entrance exams amid growing frustrations that few Japanese students learn to speak the language fluently. → Read More
How Twitter moderates content in Japan
Japan’s top social media platform is drawing increased scrutiny about its operations, particularly in the wake of several high-profile cyberharassment incidents. → Read More
Japanese scientists warn vaccines may be less effective against the omicron variant
The findings came after a fourth omicron case was found Wednesday in a man in his 50s who arrived in Japan from Nigeria. → Read More
Black Friday sales make inroads in Japan, but not all retailers are buying in
Public recognition of the retail bonanza has soared in recent years, with major franchises rolling out discount campaigns. → Read More
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike returns to duty after speculation of ill health and resignation
Koike, 69, visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to attend an online meeting of the National Governors’ Association on Sunday, marking a full resumption of her duties. → Read More
Suspect in Tokyo Halloween attack deliberately targeted a crowded train
Sunday's incident has restarted a debate about what train operators can reasonably do to stop attacks by armed individuals. → Read More
Princess Mako weds after drawn-out engagement drama
In tying the knot with her college sweetheart, the princess relinquished her royal status and brought closure to a four-year engagement saga marred by scandal and public backlash. → Read More
Is Taro Kono politically dead?
Effectively demoted after his unsuccessful LDP leadership bid, the former vaccine czar needs to maintain his public popularity while hoping the party's views move closer to his own. → Read More
Japan's virus wave shows just how far digitalization of schools still has to go
Japanese schools have long relied on conventional teaching methods, and an abrupt shift to remote learning has revealed how many are still wedded to them. → Read More
In Japan politics, social media savvy Taro Kono is a rarity. His party isn't fully on board.
Kono's unorthodox communication style is a double-edged sword and has made him a polarizing figure among some of the Liberal Democratic Party's influential old guard. → Read More
School is back in Japan, but COVID-19 is keeping some children at home
Some parents have taken the rare step of stopping their children from going to school due to fears over classroom infections and their own close contacts. → Read More
Japan ramps up campaign to get youth vaccinated against COVID-19
Incentives such as cars and coupons, as well as new walk-in centers, are being rolled out to tempt vaccine-hesitant young people, but supply issues present a big barrier of their own. → Read More
Japan turns to antibody cocktails as 'new weapon' in fight against pandemic
The government has widened the use of the drug Ronapreve, but some doctors say it needs to go further and make it available to patients isolating at home too. → Read More
Virus surge in Japan overshadows excitement ahead of the Paralympics
Athletes and officials are caught between worries over COVID-19 and their belief in what the Paralympics can do for inclusiveness and disability sports. → Read More
Yoasobi’s breakout hit song is just as catchy in English
YouTube viewers are praising music director Konnie Aoki’s English translation of “Yoru ni Kakeru,” which sounds strikingly similar to the original Japanese version. → Read More
Phasing out faxes faces fierce resistance from Japan's bureaucrats
After a government task force issued a notice telling ministries to abandon their fax machines, it was inundated with about 400 responses from officials. → Read More
A hunger strike reignites conversations about parental rights in Japan
Detractors of the country's system of sole parental authority say it promotes child "abductions," while supporters say change could exacerbate domestic abuse. → Read More
Organizers scramble to replace Tokyo Games composer after resignation
The scandal over the musician's admission of having bullied and assaulted people with disabilities is the latest in a long line to have beset the troubled Tokyo Olympics. → Read More