This essay questions whether profit-driven internet companies, often shielded from direct customer contact, can responsibly manage essential lifelines such as electricity and water.
It also criticizes NHK for failing to recognize the public responsibility inherent in such infrastructure.

2016-02-04

It is obvious what kind of companies exist solely for the purpose of making money when one looks at internet-related businesses.

All of them depend on the number of participating consumers and search traffic to survive.

But do they have systems in place to respond immediately to customers’ problems?

In reality, the situation is exactly the opposite.
They merely force users to search online or send emails, while they themselves remain completely shielded from consumers behind a wall, collecting high salaries.

Who, with what mindset, decided that industries such as electricity and water—fundamental prerequisites for our lives, unlike the internet or games—should be entrusted to such people?

This is what can only be described as insanity.

NHK, without noticing any of this, stated on last night’s News Watch 9 that people should simply enjoy choosing which company to use.

Of course, NHK bears no responsibility whatsoever toward citizens affected by disasters.

Japan’s current electric and water utilities rush to restore service even without being contacted.

How much spirit of service or consideration for others does NHK believe exists among those who think only about their own high salaries behind walls that shut out consumers?

For a country with over 1,500 years of history and culture, such ignorance by what is effectively a national broadcaster is something that should be regarded as deeply shameful.

By concentrating all thought and activity in Tokyo alone, the truth becomes invisible.