Written on September 6, 2016. This essay analyzes the stark contrast between Sankei Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun in reporting the Obama snub incident at the G20 Hangzhou Summit. It exposes how Sankei reported the facts plainly while Asahi minimized them, revealing both the nature of the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarianism and the structural bias of Japanese media.

Because the Sankei Shimbun had already published the facts, perhaps Asahi judged that even if it published them today, the Chinese Communist Party would not complain.
2016-09-06
I have repeatedly stated that, among Japanese newspapers today, the one that conveys facts exactly as they are is Sankei Shimbun.

What follows is an article that appeared yesterday in the center of page two of Sankei Shimbun, accompanied by a photograph, in a position impossible to overlook.

It goes without saying that yesterday’s Asahi Shimbun did not report this matter at all.

This morning, Asahi published it in small print on page eleven, a location many readers are likely to overlook.
The absence of a photograph makes it even easier to miss.

Because Sankei Shimbun had already reported the facts, did Asahi assume that publishing it today would not provoke complaints from the Chinese Communist Party.
Or did Asahi conclude that being the only newspaper not to publish this article would be too problematic.

First, from yesterday’s page two of Sankei Shimbun.

“This is our country.”
China snubs Obama.
No red-carpet stairway.

When U.S. President Barack Obama arrived at the airport to attend the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, there was a problem in that a red-carpeted mobile stairway for descending from Air Force One to the runway had not been prepared.
This was reported by the Associated Press and others.

President Obama instead disembarked using the aircraft’s built-in stairs.
When other leaders arrived, red-carpeted stairways were used, leading foreign journalists to speculate that this was an intentional snub by the Chinese side.

At the airport, Chinese staff also instructed reporters accompanying the president to move away from Obama.

When U.S. officials requested corrective action, a Chinese staff member reportedly shouted back, “This is our country. This is our airport.”

When National Security Advisor Susan Rice attempted to approach President Obama, she was blocked by Chinese officials, prompting a confrontation.

Below is Asahi Shimbun’s page eleven today.

Rice also blocked at Obama’s arrival.
China imposes strict controls.

“This is our country.”
At the G20 summit in Hangzhou, which closed on the 5th, host nation China staked its national prestige and consistently imposed strict reporting restrictions.

Shouting matches with foreign media occurred repeatedly, creating a tense atmosphere throughout.

When President Obama arrived on the 3rd, U.S. and Chinese officials became entangled in a scuffle.

Upon arrival by his special aircraft, no red-carpeted mobile stairway was prepared, and President Obama exited using the built-in stairs.
When reporters approached, Chinese officials stopped them.

To White House staff protesting that this was “different from the usual procedure,” Chinese officials shouted, “This is our airport.”

Even National Security Advisor Rice was reportedly blocked.