The World number one beat Croatian Donna Vekic 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-4) at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Osaka will now face Anett Kontaveit, who was able to progress after Victoria Azarenka retired.
Petra Kvitova will face Kiki Bertens in the other semi-final.
Luiten leads the way at DP World Tour Championship
Joost Luiten fired his lowest round at the Earth Course since 2016 to earn a one-shot lead over Jacob Skov Olesen after the opening round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Jake Paul hails Dubai as "perfect place" for Christmas Eve comeback fight
Jake Paul says Dubai is the "perfect place" to mount his professional fighting comeback against Cedric Doumbe on December 24.
Derron and Taylor-Brown renew T100 title fight in Dubai
Three points separate Julie Derron and Georgia Taylor-Brown in the T100 Race to Qatar, and on Saturday they meet at Al Mamzar, Dubai in the last race that counts before next month’s World Championship Final.
Racing Bulls confirm Lawson and Lindblad for 2027
Red Bull ended speculation about Liam Lawson's immediate Formula One future on Thursday by confirming the New Zealand driver alongside British teammate Arvid Lindblad as Racing Bulls' lineup for 2027.
Manchester United sack Carrick, talks ongoing for Pochettino
Manchester United have dismissed manager Michael Carrick after a prolonged winless run in the Premier League culminated in a 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa over the weekend, leaving the club mired in the relegation zone.
Fourteen people have died and 30 others have been injured following a major traffic accident in Fujairah, according to an update from the UAE Ministry of Interior.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a law defining Dubai Municipality's mandate to build a future-ready city.
Beaches in Sharjah have reopened to the public, with authorities confirming that an offshore oil spill involving a tanker in October has been contained.
