From Taisho democracy to prewar militarism and postwar leftward shift, this essay traces the historical transformations of the Asahi Shimbun and examines the roots of its ideologically driven reporting.

Continuing to avert its eyes from the realities of the world, Asahi advances ideological leftist assertions.
2018-01-23
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
Desperately protecting the framework of its own ideology.
Continuing to avert its eyes from the realities of the world, Asahi advances ideological leftist assertions.
Kadota says that by looking back at the history Asahi has followed, one can understand why they are now possessed by leftist ideology.
During the era of Taisho democracy, Asahi wrote articles in line with that prevailing trend.
However, in Taisho 7 (1918), the “White Rainbow Incident” occurred.
Right-wing activists, claiming insult to the Imperial Household, attacked the rickshaw carrying the Asahi president, stripped him naked, tied him to a utility pole, and hung a placard around his neck reading “traitor to the nation.”
In response to this incident, Asahi made a dramatic shift to a pro-militarist tone, and this continued thereafter.
Asahi’s prewar militaristic stance, including during the Manchurian Incident, did not change even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were attacked with atomic bombs.
In its August 14, 1945 editorial, it urged that even if the entire population of one hundred million were to become “living fireballs,” they should continue fighting the enemy.
After the defeat, in September, Asahi incurred the wrath of GHQ and was ordered to suspend publication for two days.
Terrified, Asahi once again made a drastic shift in direction, this time turning left.
To be continued.