Category Archives: Media

Media watch: Former idol candidates face the music

Posted on July 7, 2022 by philipbrasor

It’s common for show biz celebrities to run for public office in many countries, and in Japan they usually run under the ruling Liberal Democratic Party banner, for whatever reason. In this weekend’s Upper House race there are two candidates … Continue reading →

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Media watch: How do Japan’s and Korea’s economies compare?

Posted on July 5, 2022 by philipbrasor

Japan’s diplomatic relations with South Korea are probably the worst they’ve ever been, a situation that invariably affects press coverage of what goes on between the two countries. For the most part, these difficulties are grounded in different perspectives on … Continue reading →

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Media watch: “Education and Nationalism”

Posted on July 4, 2022 by philipbrasor

Here is the link to our column for the July issue of the Number 1 Shimbun, which is about how the government’s textbook approval system has affected education in general.

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Media watch: Putting a lid on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Posted on June 29, 2022 by philipbrasor

I didn’t see Tokyo 2020 Olympics Side:A, the first half of Naomi Kawase’s official documentary of last year’s games. From talking to others who had seen it, I gathered it contained the athletic footage for which most official Olympic docs … Continue reading →

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Media watch: You’re not in Kuroda’s league. You’re not even on the same planet

Posted on June 18, 2022 by philipbrasor

Japan’s weekly magazines and tabloids may not be bastions of journalistic integrity, but you can definitely count on them to stick it to the elites, especially those who toil in the public sector. On June 6, Bank of Japan Governor … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Are school-based sports clubs on the way out?

Posted on June 13, 2022 by philipbrasor

As the debate heats up on the government’s desire to increase Japan’s defense budget, some people on social media have been posting a quote by ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Tomomi Inada from 2016 when she was the defense minister. … Continue reading →

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Media watch: LDP heavyweights scramble to kill own redistricting plan

Posted on May 28, 2022 by philipbrasor

For years, concerned citizens have asked Japanese courts to address the vote disparities that have plagued national elections since the electoral system was revamped nearly 30 years ago. In almost all the cases, judges have found that such disparities are … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Trial of Utoro arson suspect receives scant coverage

Posted on May 19, 2022 by philipbrasor

May 16 was the first day of the criminal trial of Shogo Arimoto, the 22-year-old man arrested for starting a fire in the Utoro district of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, last August. Arimoto admitted to all the charges, though he denies … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Nothing new in Kishida’s new capitalism

Posted on May 17, 2022 by philipbrasor

The amount of cash that Japanese people keep as savings is legendary. At present, it roughly totals ¥1 quadrillion, an enormous sum and one that many people interpret as being a sign of frugality. Japanese people are averse to risk, … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Japan’s promotion of IR/casinos looking increasingly unrealistic

Posted on May 10, 2022 by philipbrasor

On April 20, the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly rejected an integrated casino resort project being promoted by the prefecture’s governor and other prominent politicians. That leaves just Osaka city and prefecture, and Nagasaki as localities that have said they will submit … Continue reading →

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