Tomoko Otake

Smoke and mirrors: How big tobacco manipulates science in Japan In Japan, not only does the tobacco industry have close ties to government, but universities are also vulnerable to its influence. In this equation, public health loses out.

Commentary: A former Philip Morris employee blew the whistle on how the company manipulates research at major Japanese universities. Now he wants tobacco policy to change.

What comes after 100? The number of Japanese centenarians is on the rise, providing new models for how to live in a super-aging society.

Japan's remarkable longevity rates are more than a medical achievement. As the number of active older adults increases, they're also changing our ideas on aging.

The latest edition of "The Extra" newsletter by @japantimes.co.jp highlights our #health coverage. Yay! Interested in health, longevity and allergy trends in #Japan? Get a taste through these gift links and sign up for our newsletters from here: www.japantimes.co.jp/email-newsle...

Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change A study by European researchers has concluded that the role of human-driven climate change in contributing to the wildfires was undeniable.

Analysis shows climate change helped fuel wildfires that broke out last week in parts of southern Japan and southeastern South Korea. By @tomokootake.bsky.social at @japantimes.co.jp

More than 1,900 scientists write letter in ‘SOS’ over Trump’s attacks on science Members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine warned Americans of ‘real danger in this moment’ More than 1,900 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine signed an open letter warning Americans about the “danger” of the Trump administration’s attacks on science. The letter comes amid the administration’s relentless assault on US scientific institutions which has included threats to private universities, federal grant cancelations and ideological funding reviews, mass government layoffs, resignations and censorship. Continue reading...

More than 1,900 scientists write letter in ‘SOS’ over Trump’s attacks on science

Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps At a Tokyo Fail Club gathering, speakers share candid talks about ventures gone wrong, bankruptcy and depression, touting a message of persistence in the face of adversity.

“Failure is not disgrace” For The Japan Times I wrote about Tokyo Fail Club, where speakers discuss ventures gone wrong, bankruptcy and depression www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...

The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan A growing industry quietly erases the final traces of those who die alone, exposing deep societal fractures.

A life reduced to objects, a death unnoticed. Spend time with some of those tasked with cleaning up after "solitary deaths," known in Japan as "kodokushi."

Over 900 hectares destroyed in Ehime and Okayama wildfires In the Ehime city of Imabari, 417 hectares had been burned as of Wednesday, while the fire in the city of Okayama had swept through some 559 hectares.

Wildfires that began on Sunday in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan have burned through over 900 hectares of land.

Large wildfires in South Korea, east of Daejeon, are producing thick smoke (dark red shading) today 26 Mar that blew eastward to Japan, reaching as far as Tokyo, observed by aerosol optical depth from the VIIRS sensor on @noaa.gov satellites. Data gaps caused by clouds. @mparrington.bsky.social

Yellow sand blankets cities across Japan The Meteorological Agency says the phenomenon, which could reduce visibility in some regions to under 5 kilometers, is forecast to last through Thursday morning.

Yellow sand blankets cities across Japan www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03...

Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change A study by European researchers has concluded that the role of human-driven climate change in contributing to the wildfires was undeniable.

Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03...

黄砂とともに韓国の山火事の煙も日本へ　昨日から大規模な延焼 昨日3月25日(火)から日本列島に黄砂が飛来していますが、それと同時に韓国で発生した山火事の煙も流れてきている可能性があります。今日は東海地方などで「煙の匂いを感じる」という声が増加していて、韓国の山火事の影響が考えられます。

【韓国山火事の煙か】
昨日3月25日(火)から日本列島に黄砂が飛来していますが、それと同時に韓国で発生した山火事の煙も流れてきている可能性があります。
今日は東海地方などで「野焼きのような匂いを感じる」という声が増加していて、韓国の山火事の影響が考えられます。
weathernews.jp/s/topics/202...

As pollen season peaks, Japan's allergy struggle emerges from hibernation In Tokyo and Sendai, high cedar pollen levels will persist into late March, followed by cypress pollen peaking from late March to early April.

As pollen season peaks, Japan\'s allergy struggle emerges from hibernation www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03...

Japan to get tough on businesses not taking heatstroke countermeasures Violators will be punishable with up to six months' imprisonment or a maximum fine of ¥500,000 ($3,380).

As Japan braces for another summer of record-breaking heat, the health ministry has decided to make businesses that fail to take heatstroke countermeasures criminally liable.

For this year's #InternationalWomensDay, I wrote about the history of periods and menstrual products in Japan. I learned some amazing facts, including the story of a woman who marketed Japan's first mass-produced sanitary pads and a man who shaped the industry.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03...

High levels of PFAS found in water from 44 private suppliers across Japan Among them are five that supply water to Self-Defense Forces facilities.

Excessive levels of PFAS have been detected in water from 44 private suppliers across Japan, including five that supply Self-Defense Forces facilities, according to a government survey.

Japan aims for 60% emissions cut by 2035 in target seen as lax The target was proposed last month, and was criticized by experts who said the plans don’t align with international ambitions to curb global warming.

Japan is pushing through a new target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035, even as the plan faces criticism as lacking in ambition.

Japan ministers agree on price cuts for half of all drugs Ministers also agreed to raise the upper limit on out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Official prices of nearly half of all drugs in Japan will be reduced to lower the financial burden on patients.

Residents of Shizuoka live longest healthy lives in Japan, ranking shows Every three years the health ministry estimates healthy life expectancy based on a comprehensive survey of living conditions.

Shizuoka Prefecture has recorded the longest estimated average healthy life expectancy for both men and women, the health ministry has said.

Japanese officials inspect Yokota Air Base over PFAS concerns The inspection follows a reported leak in August of water containing 'forever chemicals' outside the U.S. base in western Tokyo.

Japanese government officials have inspected the Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo following a leak of water containing toxic “forever chemicals” outside the U.S. base in August.

Casual workouts, cool living, ‘complete’ food: Japan’s health trends of 2024 This year’s health and wellness fads point to a Japan that desires more wholesome lifestyles but doesn’t have the time or resources to go about it in traditional ways.

In 2024, people across Japan wanted to get healthier — they just didn’t want to spend much time, money or effort doing it.

Interesting: “Japanese people were the most eager to study, ranking first in the world for the highest average time that people spent learning a language and up from second place last year”

Japanese study links heavy Hokkaido snowfall in 2021 to climate change Global warming caused Hokkaido to receive up to 20% more snow in December 2021 than usual, a team of Japanese scientists concluded.

A team of Japanese scientists has concluded that global warming was what caused Hokkaido to receive up to 20% more snow than usual in December 2021.

!? "Earlier this month, Soon-Shiong announced plans to incorporate an artificial intelligence-powered “bias meter” into newspaper articles."

ファミチキが給食に…ファミマゆかりの狭山市で「記念給食のトリ」として 【読売新聞】　コンビニ大手ファミリーマートの骨なしチキン「ファミチキ」が１９、２０日、埼玉県狭山市内の市立小中学校２３校の給食に登場する。ファミリーマートが１９７３年、狭山市内に１号店を開店したのと、今年が市制施行７０周年にあたるこ

Next week, school lunches in Sayama City will include famichiki provided free by Family Mart. This is to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the city's establishment, and the opening of the firm's first convenience store there in 1973. www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/202...

"Expert" panels are ubiquitous in Japan's government, setting policy directions for everything from energy to public health, but are they fair and balanced? @russ-chris.bsky.social and I examined the question through a recent debate over climate policy-related committees. For @japantimes.co.jp

Thank you!

Can Japan's scientific community rebound from a Nobel nosedive? Shrinking funding and limited support spark fears for the country's scientific prowess moving forward.

As this year’s Nobel Prizes were announced in early October, once again Japan’s scientific community held its breath ... and once again they came away empty-handed. When will Japan get another shot at the prize? My latest Longform @japantimes.co.jp : www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/12...

Don’t worry, you can still use your Japan health insurance card — for now While the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards on Monday, there is a one-year grace period for their integration with My Number cards.

There's been a lot of confusion among people about health insurance cards in Japan and their integration with My Number cards. This story explains what happens today and what insurance users in Japan need to keep in mind: www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/12...