At the height of coordinated media criticism against Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Sanae Takaichi, a UN Special Rapporteur suddenly arrived in Japan and declared that media independence was under threat.
Drawing on testimony from former Asahi Shimbun journalists, this article analyzes the structural alignment between major newspapers, activist organizations such as the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, and UN human rights mechanisms, exposing how narratives of “press freedom” can be strategically constructed and internationally amplified.

The Orchestrated Visit of a UN Rapporteur to Japan
2017-06-18
The following is a reprint.

Today’s article in the Asahi Shimbun itself precisely proved that the book Who Turned the Asahi Shimbun into This, co-authored by Kiyoshi Nagae and Hiroshi Hasegawa—both of whom spent their careers as prominent reporters at the Asahi Shimbun—published by WAC BUNKO on December 17, 2016, priced at 980 yen, is a book that all Japanese citizens and people around the world should read.

At the same time, the following chapter also proved that the essay I wrote immediately criticizing David Kaye was entirely correct.

The Orchestrated Visit of a UN Rapporteur to Japan

Nagae:
In fact, Shukan Shincho contacted me, saying they wanted my opinion regarding remarks made by Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Sanae Takaichi concerning the Broadcast Act.
At that time, when I said, “The Mainichi Shimbun is also writing extensively about Takaichi’s remarks,” the Shukan Shincho reporter shot back, “As of this morning, Asahi has covered it forty-four times, Mainichi twenty-one times—Asahi has twice as many.
Sankei has eighteen times, and Yomiuri zero.”
I suggested that “Reporting on the disparity in the number of articles would itself be news, and rather stylish,” but none of my comments were published (laughs).

—Asahi also harshly criticized the opinions of Ogawa Eitaro and others from the “Viewers’ Association Demanding Compliance with the Broadcast Act” in its April 13 editorial titled “Criticism of TBS—Is It Proper Speech Activity?”
“The ways to criticize programs are many, and the Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) is also functioning. Nevertheless, attempting to shake broadcasters’ sources of revenue to change their reporting stance cannot be called proper speech activity.”

Hasegawa:
How should I put it… it is utterly unbearable to read.
Asahi regards Ogawa and others as an “Abe cheer squad” and sees criticism of television stations such as TBS as supportive fire for the administration.
Isn’t that an overly simplistic way of viewing things?

Nagae:
If there is factual substantiation, I personally prefer simplicity.
However, simplicity without facts easily degenerates into agitation, and it becomes difficult to have newspapers read by the mature working generation engaged in practical affairs.

Hasegawa:
There was also a movement that can only be seen as proceeding in lockstep with the criticism of Takaichi’s remarks.
That was the visit to Japan of a UN Special Rapporteur, a certain David Kaye, an American professor at the University of California, Irvine.
On April 19, he held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan and stated that “the independence of Japan’s media is facing a serious threat.”

Nagae:
“Proceeding in lockstep” is exactly the right phrase—Kaye’s visit to Japan reeked of orchestration upon orchestration.
—Sankei Shimbun reporter Makiko Takita reported that “Visits by Special Rapporteurs begin with inquiries from the UN to each country and proceed through coordination. On the Japan Federation of Bar Associations website, it is stated that ‘the more visit requests there are, the more likely a visit is to be realized.’”
It is quite possible that the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and so-called ‘outraged’ activists called out, saying, “Japan’s media is in danger! Please come!”

Hasegawa:
Kaye says he interviewed appropriate individuals such as journalists and newscasters, but when compiling a report to the United Nations, he should clearly specify from whom he heard what kinds of stories.
Other Special Rapporteurs all observe that line, so to speak.
—However, if one reads the full transcript of Kaye’s press conference, he states, “Many journalists ask me, when providing information, ‘Please keep me anonymous.’
I consider this unusual.”
Kaye seems to interpret this as meaning that “there is government pressure in Japan, and revealing names would be problematic,” but in reality, those many “journalists” may simply have a backward-looking attitude of “not wanting to be verified.”

To be continued.