January 16, 2010
Japan’s five national newspapers on January 15 ran editorials advocating Japan’s entry into the TPP and supporting an increase in the consumption tax rate as proposed by Prime Minister Kan Naoto as his two main goals, following the inauguration of his second reshuffled cabinet.
Intellectuals are criticizing the mainstream media for fully supporting the Kan Cabinet on those big issues that are actually splitting public opinion into two camps.
Asahi Shimbun gave its support to Kan by encouraging him to realize his “reform”. Yomiuri Shimbun demands that the prime minister should resolve to push for a “reform” in the consumption tax, Japan’s participation in a free-trade agreement, and a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance. How to implement the two policies is a matter of concern, according to Mainichi Shimbun. Nikkei Shimbun suggests that PM Kan and Finance Minister Yosano soon make concrete plans for a “reform” in social welfare services. Sankei Shimbun calls for the entry of Japan into the TPP trade pact.
Professor of Journalism at Kanto Gakuin University Maruyama Shigetake said, “The argument by Yomiuri that all parties ‘should address the pending issues regardless of ideological differences’ reminds me of Japan’s prewar regime in support of Imperial rule. Journalism should be required to convey a large variety of positions, opinions, and values to the general public. Lacking a long-term and international perspective, the present media are not doing a proper job.”
Journalist Aoki Osamu, former reporter of Kyodo News Service, said, “Relying on what government bureaucrats or influential politicians say, reporters become brainwashed and they have no hesitation in conveying authorities’ opinions. Originally, the media have a role in collecting diversified views and examining them, but the Press Club System has a harmful effect on fair news coverage.”
Professor at Rissho University Urano Hiroaki, also a tax accountant, said, “The mainstream media are undoubtedly spurring a tax hike without verifying whether an increase in taxes is necessary or not in order to secure funds for social security. The press is supposed to be a watchdog over authorities. However, because it is heavily dependent on advertising revenue, it propagates pro-corporate arguments throughout society. If the government complies with the constitutional principle of progressive taxation, it can improve social welfare services without increasing the consumption tax rate.”
Nakatsukuma Takuzo, ex-producer of a tabloid TV show, said, “I was horrified by the five national newspapers carrying the same message in their editorials. The same thing is happening to TV newscasts. The ANN news show, Hodo Station, takes a lead in agitating the general public by calling for ‘a TPP dissolution of the Lower House like the postal dissolution done at a time of the Koizumi government.’ When the war ended, all the existing newspapers regretted having cooperated with the Imperial wartime regime. However, they seem to be repeating the same mistake again.”
Expert in agricultural policy planning Mikuni Hidemi, professor emeritus of Hiroshima University, said, “The major media uncritically promote the TPP accord although the trend emerging today is requiring co-existence with Asian nations and a new order in the world economy in the wake of collapse of neoliberalism centering on the United States. Japan’s entry into the TPP will destroy the nation’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, small- and midsized businesses, local economies, natural environments, employment, and medical and welfare services. The press falls short of objectively evaluating the possible adverse impacts caused by the TPP. The need is for the media to provide information that will be useful for the general public to critically discuss pending issues.”
Intellectuals are criticizing the mainstream media for fully supporting the Kan Cabinet on those big issues that are actually splitting public opinion into two camps.
Asahi Shimbun gave its support to Kan by encouraging him to realize his “reform”. Yomiuri Shimbun demands that the prime minister should resolve to push for a “reform” in the consumption tax, Japan’s participation in a free-trade agreement, and a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance. How to implement the two policies is a matter of concern, according to Mainichi Shimbun. Nikkei Shimbun suggests that PM Kan and Finance Minister Yosano soon make concrete plans for a “reform” in social welfare services. Sankei Shimbun calls for the entry of Japan into the TPP trade pact.
Professor of Journalism at Kanto Gakuin University Maruyama Shigetake said, “The argument by Yomiuri that all parties ‘should address the pending issues regardless of ideological differences’ reminds me of Japan’s prewar regime in support of Imperial rule. Journalism should be required to convey a large variety of positions, opinions, and values to the general public. Lacking a long-term and international perspective, the present media are not doing a proper job.”
Journalist Aoki Osamu, former reporter of Kyodo News Service, said, “Relying on what government bureaucrats or influential politicians say, reporters become brainwashed and they have no hesitation in conveying authorities’ opinions. Originally, the media have a role in collecting diversified views and examining them, but the Press Club System has a harmful effect on fair news coverage.”
Professor at Rissho University Urano Hiroaki, also a tax accountant, said, “The mainstream media are undoubtedly spurring a tax hike without verifying whether an increase in taxes is necessary or not in order to secure funds for social security. The press is supposed to be a watchdog over authorities. However, because it is heavily dependent on advertising revenue, it propagates pro-corporate arguments throughout society. If the government complies with the constitutional principle of progressive taxation, it can improve social welfare services without increasing the consumption tax rate.”
Nakatsukuma Takuzo, ex-producer of a tabloid TV show, said, “I was horrified by the five national newspapers carrying the same message in their editorials. The same thing is happening to TV newscasts. The ANN news show, Hodo Station, takes a lead in agitating the general public by calling for ‘a TPP dissolution of the Lower House like the postal dissolution done at a time of the Koizumi government.’ When the war ended, all the existing newspapers regretted having cooperated with the Imperial wartime regime. However, they seem to be repeating the same mistake again.”
Expert in agricultural policy planning Mikuni Hidemi, professor emeritus of Hiroshima University, said, “The major media uncritically promote the TPP accord although the trend emerging today is requiring co-existence with Asian nations and a new order in the world economy in the wake of collapse of neoliberalism centering on the United States. Japan’s entry into the TPP will destroy the nation’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, small- and midsized businesses, local economies, natural environments, employment, and medical and welfare services. The press falls short of objectively evaluating the possible adverse impacts caused by the TPP. The need is for the media to provide information that will be useful for the general public to critically discuss pending issues.”
