Category Archives: Media

Media watch: Government demonstrates selective memory when it comes to Japan’s mining history

Posted on February 6, 2022 by philipbrasor

Last week, the Cabinet decided it would ask UNESCO to list a gold and silver mine on the island of Sado as a World Heritage Site. The government says the mine, which opened about 400 years ago and closed in … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Justice ministry ties itself into knots attempting to simplify paternity determination

Posted on February 4, 2022 by philipbrasor

One of the purposes of Japan’s koseki (family register) system, if not the main purpose, is to provide the authorities with some control over what constitutes a family, which naturally leads to grey areas and points of contention, since it’s … Continue reading →

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February No. 1 Shimbun column

Posted on February 1, 2022 by philipbrasor

We’re now contributing a monthly media column to the No. 1 Shimbun. It should be pretty much the same as Media Mix in terms of content and style, but probably longer since No. 1 Shimbun is only published online, which … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Bicycle accidents receive extra scrutiny from public, police and media

Posted on January 31, 2022 by philipbrasor

On Jan. 26, Tokyo District Court began hearing a case in which a bicycle delivery person is accused of riding recklessly and causing the death of a 78-year-old man in Itabashi Ward last April. Prosecutors are demanding a 2-year prison … Continue reading →

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Media watch: High court “forgives” trainee convicted of abandoning baby, but only up to a point

Posted on January 24, 2022 by philipbrasor

Technical trainees who come from overseas to work in Japan are subject to conditions that don’t necessarily apply to foreign workers who come to Japan with conventional work visas. There are many people who feel these conditions are unreasonable, especially … Continue reading →

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Media watch: NHK takes a bullet for the official Olympics documentary

Posted on January 11, 2022 by philipbrasor

On December 26, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK aired a special program on its BS1 satellite channel about the making of the official documentary for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which is being directed by Nara-based filmmaker Naomi Kawase. One … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Puppy mill violations point up weak animal welfare laws

Posted on January 9, 2022 by philipbrasor

Japan tends to go through intense phases with regard to popular breeds of pet dogs. About 50-60 years ago it was the spitz, and 20-30 years ago you couldn’t pass a dog run without stumbling over a dozen or so … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Sperm “donor” sued for lying on his application

Posted on January 4, 2022 by philipbrasor

In late 2020, the Japanese government passed a law that recognizes married couples who have children via donated sperm and eggs as being the legal parents of those children. The law would go into effect in one year’s time, meaning, … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Citizens groups seek truth about 1923 post-quake killings

Posted on January 2, 2022 by philipbrasor

September 1, 2023, will mark the 100th year anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which struck Tokyo and surrounding areas, killing more than 140,000 people. In the days that followed, an additional number of Korean residents of the affected areas … Continue reading →

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Media watch: Yomiuri Shimbun to become PR organ for Osaka?

Posted on December 27, 2021 by philipbrasor

On December 22, an item appeared on the Osaka Prefectural government’s official home page. It was an announcement for a contract signing ceremony that would take place after lunch on December 27 in the third floor conference room of the … Continue reading →

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