Japan Press Weekly

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2008 April 9 - 15 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

Journalists protest against pressure to ban documentary film

Sixteen journalists and film makers protested against political pressure on theaters not to show a movie and called for the defense of the freedom of expression.

The protest was prompted by a recent sudden cancellation of the screening of the documentary film “YASUKUNI.”

At a news conference in the House of Councilors Members Building on April 10, Li Ying, the film’s director, said, “Because the movie’s theme is delicate, we were discussing with movie theater managers how to deal with right-wing campaigns. They were supportive of us, so I was very surprised to hear of the cancellation.”

They criticized Liberal Democratic Party member Inada Tomomi and other conservative Dietmembers for forcing a preview of the documentary to be held for Dietmembers. This action led theaters to cancel the showing of the film.

Journalist Hara Toshio said, “Screening should be voluntarily restricted if there is no legal issue involved. I feel as if we have returned to the era of the ‘Manchuria Incident’ that drove mass media into the promotion of the war.”
- Akahata, April 11, 2008