Originally published on April 21, 2019.
Using the discussion between Wakamiya Yoshibumi and Tetsuya Chikushi as a point of departure, this essay exposes the mechanism by which Asahi Shimbun did not shape opinion directly, but instead implanted its editorials into television commentators who seemed like “ordinary neighbors,” having them repeat those views from morning to night until they became public opinion.
It denounces the reality of “television politics,” in which wide shows flattered mass sentiment, influenced politics, and ultimately helped impose the Democratic Party government on the Japanese people.

2019-04-21
For commentators, “people who seem like ordinary neighbors are more effective,” said Chikushi.
For example, an actress whose husband has been stolen away, or a not-very-bright-looking baseball player, or a cameraman would do.
Then the question is how Asahi’s assertions are to be implanted into them.

The following is from a chapter I published on October 12, 2015.
To summarize it, “The Abe administration was brought down by public opinion created by the claims of Asahi Shimbun,” said Wakamiya.
But Asahi did not directly shape public opinion.
“Public opinion is created by having commentators on wide shows and news programs repeat the message over and over.”
And for those commentators, “people who seem like ordinary neighbors are more effective,” said Chikushi.
For example, an actress whose husband has been stolen away, or a not-very-bright-looking baseball player, or a cameraman would do.
Then the question is how Asahi’s assertions are to be implanted into them.
Since they are not intelligent enough to have views of their own, before they go on air the television station “hands them Asahi Shimbun’s editorials,” said Wakamiya, explains them carefully, and prepares them so they can parrot them back.
That is why there is no need for the whole nation to read them.
Only “a very small number need to read the editorials,” said Chikushi.
In short, if you give Asahi’s editorials to foolish commentators and have them repeat them on television from morning until night, that becomes public opinion, and even the Abe administration can be brought down.
Television wide shows flatter “the masses eager to rebel,” in Ortega y Gasset’s phrase, and thereby dominate politics.
“This is truly the age of television politics,” said Chikushi.
The discussion ended with those two repellent men all but rubbing cheeks, declaring that Japan’s governments are decided by Asahi Shimbun and television.
And in fact, with precisely this lineup, Asahi Shimbun forced the foolish Democratic Party upon the nation.