The Wall Street Journal declared, “No nation is born wealthy.” Prosperity depends on sound policies and human potential. Yet Osaka, despite having five private TV networks, has mirrored Tokyo’s shallow programming and ignored critical issues. This essay critiques Japan’s media, its so-called elites, and the wasted decades of decline.

In an article from August 21, 2010, the author quotes the Wall Street Journal’s phrase “There are no countries born wealthy,” and reflects on the American class system and dynamism that gave rise to it. The piece criticizes the state of television in both Tokyo and Osaka, pointing out their failure to fulfill their true journalistic role. It is an essay that harshly questions the elite class for acting as if Japan were a naturally rich country, lamenting the waste of energy and intellect.

No Nation Is Born Wealthy
August 21, 2010

The U.S. Wall Street Journal published an article on the 17th titled “Japan as Number Three.”
It argued: “No nation is born wealthy. Prosperity comes year after year through sound economic policies that draw out the potential of its people.”

These are words that could only come from America, a nation built by immigrants who fled the class oppression of Europe’s rigid hierarchies, seeking freedom and the realization of their dreams. No nation is born wealthy.

In class-based societies, the overwhelming ratio is always the same: 1% versus 99%—the working class. The likelihood of exceptional talent suddenly emerging follows that same ratio. America’s overwhelming strength lies in its constant renewal through such cycles of change.

But in the past 20 years, what of Osaka, which ought to stand as the capital of western Japan, just as Tokyo stands as the capital of the east? If one were to examine this through the programs of private TV stations, the shock would be immense.

Osaka has five private television networks—Mainichi TV, Asahi TV, Kansai TV, Yomiuri TV, and TV Osaka—comparable in number to Tokyo. Yet what programs do they produce? Their main output consists of network-supplied broadcasts. The shows they do produce on weekends are no different from Tokyo’s. The same types of talent appear—predominantly from Yoshimoto, who can be used cheaply—resulting in an endless parade of shallow entertainment.

Six or seven years ago, it was revealed that Osaka City Hall employees had been misappropriating vast amounts of taxpayer money for years. But of course, none of the local networks had ever noticed. And now, one of the very hosts of those programs has become mayor of Osaka, doing what I have already described.

So what, then, are these people—both in Tokyo and Osaka?

The common attitude they share seems to be this: that Japan is a nation born wealthy.

They surely believe themselves to be elites—after all, some have even become mayors.
But what kind of “elite” presides over the 20-year collapse of Osaka?

Should they not, as journalists, have been producing program after program raising the essential questions?

What is the point of having five stations gathered in one place if not?
I can only conclude it is nothing more than a colossal waste of energy and intelligence.