When a newspaper sees itself as a “representative institution,” admitting major errors becomes difficult. This essay examines the relationship between self-image and reporting from wartime to postwar Japan, questioning the fundamentals of journalism.

2015-12-29
It may be an extraordinary misunderstanding, but within the Asahi Shimbun there exists a belief that it is “Japan’s representative newspaper.”

…In journalism, anyone can make an error of judgment.
Once facts later become clear, it is not so difficult to admit such an error.
Yet why was the Asahi Shimbun unable to do so?

Hasegawa

Perhaps it can be attributed to a “peculiar psychological structure” within the company.
It may be an outrageous misconception, but within the Asahi Shimbun there exists a belief that it is “Japan’s representative newspaper.”

Therefore, while small individual article corrections could be made, it was impossible to admit mistakes in major judgments.
…Because that would affect the very foundation of the paper.

For example, if its view of history were acknowledged as mistaken, the signboard of being a “representative newspaper” would suffer a severe blow.

Such an admission could never be made—that sentiment must have been dominant.

The denial of the past becomes a “cause.”

…During the war, the Asahi carried articles to raise morale and presented pages as if Japan were invincible.
Yet Japan was defeated.
After the war, the Asahi did, in form at least, acknowledge its error.

Hasegawa

If one looks at its wartime pages, it is clear that the Asahi published countless articles to boost wartime morale.

There is no way to conceal that.

Moreover, under Allied occupation, the paper was placed in a position where publication itself was difficult unless it aligned with the policies of GHQ (General Headquarters of the Allied Forces).

Thus, though the wording appears rather strange when read carefully, three months after the war’s end the Asahi published its famous declaration of reflection titled “To Stand with the People.”

It wrote:
“We failed to fully discharge the grave responsibility of truthful reporting and rigorous criticism, and were powerless to break these constraints.
Thus we reached defeat and must apologize to the nation for allowing the people to fall into the present plight while remaining ignorant of the course of events.”

However, the fundamental principle of reporting—to investigate facts and adhere strictly to them—was not clearly articulated.