- 8 Mar 2005
- 2,139
- 89
Washington Post has a rather reactionary article (Aug 27, 2006) up concerning the aquiecence of one journalist to another over the first journalists words concering Japan's so-called rise in nationalism, and of course, Koizumi's visit to the infamous Yasukuni shrine.
I do happen to believe that there is a rise in Japanese nationalism, specifically as concerns China... However, the text of the Post report concerning one Japanese journalist pulling a story blamed as anti-Japanese by another journalist, would lead one to believe there to be a vast right-wing conspiracy afoot.
The so-called capitulation doesn't seem breathtaking or very surprising to me, considering the history of Japan's media industry--- Titling the piece "Japan's Thought Police", gives the article a hyperbole that seems either uninformed or intentionally reactionary.
I don't recal their ever being a standard of public criticism in Japan. I don't think it is that common to criticise other Japanese publically--- The author ties in some un-related political goings on that seem to promote his idea of a cabal of power-usurping politicians--- but is there a new sense of self-censorship in Japan, or has it always been this way?
I do happen to believe that there is a rise in Japanese nationalism, specifically as concerns China... However, the text of the Post report concerning one Japanese journalist pulling a story blamed as anti-Japanese by another journalist, would lead one to believe there to be a vast right-wing conspiracy afoot.
The capitulation was breathtaking. But in the political atmosphere that has overtaken Japan, it's not surprising. Emboldened by the recent rise in nationalism, an increasingly militant group of extreme right-wing activists who yearn for a return to 1930s-style militarism, emperor-worship and "thought control" have begun to move into more mainstream circles -- and to attack those who don't see things their way.
The so-called capitulation doesn't seem breathtaking or very surprising to me, considering the history of Japan's media industry--- Titling the piece "Japan's Thought Police", gives the article a hyperbole that seems either uninformed or intentionally reactionary.
I don't recal their ever being a standard of public criticism in Japan. I don't think it is that common to criticise other Japanese publically--- The author ties in some un-related political goings on that seem to promote his idea of a cabal of power-usurping politicians--- but is there a new sense of self-censorship in Japan, or has it always been this way?