Two Newspapers in Okinawa Held Press Conference at Japan National Press Club
On July 2, the editorial chiefs of two local newspapers in Okinawa, Ryukyu Shimpo and the Okinawa Times, held a joint press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan and the Japan National Press Club (JNPC) to protest remarks made by novelist Naoki Hyakuta and Liberal Democratic Party member Hideo Ohishi. Prior to the press conference, the newspapers published a joint statement on June 27 protesting a comment made by Hyakuta, “the two newspapers in Okinawa should be destroyed.”
Below are highlights from the press conference at JNPC.
Today, we have an editorial chief from the Okinawa Times, Mr. Taketomi, and an editorial chief from Ryukyu Shimpo, Mr. Shiohira. They are here today in response to the comments made during a study group with members of the Liberal Democratic Party. I will not review the comments and how they have been reported until today, as we would do not have the time to go over it. As you know, the Okinawa Times and Ryukyu Shimpo have issued a joint statement. It is included in the materials that we distributed earlier.
First, each speaker will have 20 minutes, and then we will move onto questions. Excuse me for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Kawakami from Kyodo News. I am a member of the Planning Committee for the Japan National Press Club. Prior to this press conference, they (the two speakers) held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. Since we would like to switch the order, first Mr. Shiohira from Ryukyu Shimpo will speak and then, Mr. Taketomi from the Okinawa Times will speak after.
Yoshikazu Shiohira, editorial chief for Ryukyu Shimpo
Today, I am very glad that I can participate in the traditions of the Japan National Press Club and share this valuable time with fellow journalists. And I am grateful that the JNPC gave me the opportunity to do so.
Even as I say this, it feels very strange that I am holding a press conference. Normally, when people have a press conference, it is when they did something particularly good or bad. However, I am holding a press conference about the day-to-day work of journalists who monitor the people in power. This is an ironic way to describe the situation, but I feel that it is an implication the deterioration of democracy in this country and the endangerment of the freedom of press. I assume that the journalists here today came here because they share the same sense of danger.
This is a this morning’s Ryukyu Shimpo (showing a newspaper). It is titled “ Prime Minister Apologizes to Komei Party Leadership.” It is about Prime Minister Abe’s apology the Komei Party leader, Yamaguchi, for comments made by a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
However, I believe that this was the wrong place, wrong time for the apology.
Why did he not apologize in the Parliament, the highest body in the land, as soon as the incident took place? Why not apologize in a way that one hundred and twenty million of Japanese people?
At the beginning of this press conference, I would like to say that Prime Minister Abe picked the wrong place and the wrong time for his apology.
He should have apologized in his capacity as Prime Minister of Japan, as the severity of his colleague’s remarks dictate a response from both the Leader of the LDP as well as the Prime Minister.
I think the people might wonder whether Prime Minister Abe holds the same opinion as MP Onishi, since he was not willing to make a full apology. I feel very sorry for this.
The problem with the comments made in the study group set up to pressure media is that they are dangerous comments not based in facts. Taketomi at Okinawa Times shares the same feeling. Many media outlets have been criticized for the comments. One member of the parliament even mentioned that the best way to punish the media is to decrease advertising revenue, which could happen if private people and Keidanren exercise their influence. The MP suggested that the administration should influence media outlets and “let them starve” (referring to media outlets that criticize the administration). This would drive media companies into crisis mode and deprive them of their freedom of press. This idea is nothing but an attempt to suppress the media. I deplore his statements. I am so resentful it makes my stomach turn.
According to the Constitution, MPs and members of the Cabinet are obligated to abide by the Constitution. Therefore, the notion that the media should be punished violates the Constitution in several ways. Yet another MP made comments that two Okinawan newspapers are distorting public opinion in Okinawa. And he made a comment suggesting that Okinawans are being influenced by left wing groups. If the newspapers in Okinawa were so arrogant as to play with the minds of the public, then they would lose the support of the Okinawan people and they would have been put out of business. A newspaper cannot survive without the support of the local people and its readers. I think this is the same with any newspapers in Japan. I think it is impossible for a newspaper to create a sustainable environment while catering to the opinions of weak people and acting with arrogance.
Let me talk about history a little bit. In 1940, three newspapers in Okinawa were merged to create a newspaper called Okinawa Shimpo. The Okinawa Shimpo cooperated with the national authorities while they were taking the country to war, and it played a role increasing support for war among the people of Okinawa. This led to enormous numbers of casualties in the battles on Okinawa. In this way, the newspapers in Okinawa drove the people of Okinawa to a tragic end. As a person who works in the newspaper industry, I feel this was extremely regrettable.
I assume that you have a joint statement issued on June 27. When I asked my senior colleague if the editorial chiefs of the two newspapers in Okinawa had published a joint statement, he said yes and that it was probably the first time in the last half century. As is written in the joint statement, after the end of WWII, the newspapers in Okinawa relaunched with expressions of remorse by newspaper publishers. A policy of never making reports that could lead to war is now the foundation for journalism.
Ryukyu Shimpo has consistently opposed war due to its experiences with the battles on Okinawa and the the postwar US occupation when human rights were continuously violated. Okinawans have been demanding the adoption of of universal values in Okinawa, such as liberal democracy, respect of basic human rights, and rule of law. The people of Okinawa would like to receive the benefits of the Peace Constitution, just like Japanese and US citizens. We are writing articles from this stace. We are are arguing that the Japan-US relationship should be based on the trust of citizens as well as the spirit of international cooperation, but not on military cooperation. I cannot understand the reason why some people say that we are distorting the public opinions even though we have these universal ideals. I would like to say that it is groundless slander for us to be called left-wing or biased.
Going back to the comments by Naoki Hyakuta about pressuring the media, I am not sure about the logic of his arguments. He made a comment to the effect “two newspapers in Okinawa must be destroyed.”
I feel that this was quite a violent comment for a person in a writing profession. I am aware that Mr. Hyakuta is guaranteed freedom of speech. However, I cannot condone his comments because they meant to destroy the media’s freedom of speech, even though the media serves the citizens’ right to know. His comments can be interpreted as a denial of the democracy and constitutionalism that acts as a brake for power getting out of control. After he made his comments, he said they were jokes, but this is a story which cannot be brushed off simply by saying they were jokes.
Earlier, I mentioned that the comments by Mr. Hyakuta contradicted the truth about Okinawa. Let me explain about this a little further. Mr. Hyakuta said that the Futenma base was originally located in the middle of rice fields and that people started living around the base because they thought that they could make money from doing business with the base. In response to these comments, on June 29, the city assembly of Ginowan in Okinawa unanimously adopted a resolution demanding Mr. Hyakuta apologize and withdraw his comments. They claimed that the comments were based on a misinterpretation of the facts. The mayor of Ginowan is supported by the Liberal Democratic Party. Also, there are a lot of conservative members of the Liberal Democratic Party in the city assembly of Ginowan. I would like Mr. Hyakuta to understand the significance of the fact that such an assembly [consisting of many conservative members of the LDP] adopted the resolution unanimously. I believe that Mr. Hyakuta should take this resolution seriously and respond to their demand of an apology by withdrawing his comments.
Although I am mindful that Mr. Hyakuta has a right to free speech, it is not respectful for someone in a writing profession to make comments that are not based on facts. If his criticism of the two newspapers were based on facts, then we would accept them humbly. However, we cannot condone slander that is not based on facts. I would personally like to demand Mr. Hyakuta withdrawal or offer a correction to his comments.
By the way, every day since he suggested that the two newspapers of Okinawa should be destroyed, there have been phone calls, emails, postcards and letters sent to the company. The supportive messages far outweigh the others. Approximately 70% are supportive of us while only 30% are supportive of Mr. Hyakura or the LDP study group.
There are three pillars of Ryukyu Shimpo’s company policy: (1) To convey unbiased news according to the freedom of press; (2) To promote the development of politics, economy and culture of Okinawa and to strive to create a democratic society; (3) To contribute to world peace based on international cooperation. We are creating a newspaper based on these company policies. We would also like to be a mirror to reflect the will of citizens of Okinawa just like many newspapers intends to reflect the will of their readers.
To protect the dignity of the lives of the generation of Okinawans living right now, as well as their children and grandchildren, we would like to create a newspaper that conveys the news and covers every aspect of people’s lives. We believe that such a newspaper is needed in this society and we would like to play that role.
The erroneous criticisms were made not only by Mr. Hyakuta, but also some members of Liberal Democratic Party close to Prime Minister Abe. I cannot condone these comments. Using this opportunity, I would like to strongly protest. However, if I look at the bright side, I think it was good that the incident drew a lot of attention. The newspapers in Okinawa have been criticised in many ways. For example, former prime minister Mori mentioned that Okinawa is dominated by the Communist Party. Others have stated that the public in Okinawa are being brainwashed by the newspapers in Okinawa. Another member of the Parliament who mentioned that the newspapers in Okinawa are like the newspapers in Arab countries.
Powerful people try to shut down those who criticize them because they are annoyed by the criticism. We have felt pressured even before this incident became public, which was revealed by chance. After media reports about the incident continued, a member of Liberal Democratic Party suggested that media outlets [that criticise the Administration’s policy] could be punished by pressuring big corporations to pull their advertisements from the media outlets. This comment wasn’t meant to target only the two newspapers in Okinawa, but rather all media outlets. I believe that the comment is a provocation as well as a challenge to free speech and freedom of the press guaranteed to all Japanese media, including TV and newspapers.
I would like to ask you to please not trivialize the issue by assuming it only pertains to the two newspapers in Okinawa. I think that this press conference is being held because there is a sense of crisis, and many feel that the incident should not be trivialized or condoned. I would like you to share this sense of crisis, and help work together to defy pressure placed on the media.
Moreover, the staff members of Ryukyu Shimpo have heard many grievances from the residents of Okinawa prefecture lately. These residents often complain that despite the fact that all elections held in Okinawa prefecture have been won by candidates opposing the construction of the new base in Henoko, Prime Minister Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga have given the cold shoulder to Governor Onaga by repeatedly refusing to meet with him. In spite of the staunch opposition from the Okinawan public, the administration continues to claim that the only option to solve the problems with the Futenma Air base is to construct a new base in Henoko. We often meet Okinawans who say “what does Okinawa mean to this country?” and “Is Japan a democratic country?” and “Isn’t Okinawa being treated as a colony?”
I would like not only those in the media, but also many regular Japanese citizens, to think about why Okinawans say such things.
Government officials, including mayors and village heads in Okinawa, often say that the Futenma Air Base must be relocated within Okinawa Prefecture as soon as possible to remove all the risks associated with the base.
They say this is the origin of the problems with Futenma.
However, the problems with Futenma began under US occupation when US forces deprived Okinawans of their residences and their land using bayonets and bulldozers, establishing the base by force. This is how the problems with Futenma base began.
It is not entirely wrong to see the 1996 agreement between the Japanese and the US governments over the return of the Futenma base to Japan as the starting point for the current debate over the relocation of Futenma base. However, this way of looking at the debate over the relocation of Futenma base is missing important historical events.
From the perspective of the people in Okinawa I mentioned earlier, we tend to see the problems with Futenma as a symbol of Okinawa being treated as a colony. If we take this perspective, then we have to go further back in history.
For instance, between 1872 and 1879, the Meiji government [of Japan] gradually integrated the kingdom of Ryukyu into Japan. Throughout modern history, the indigenous culture of Okinawa, such as its native language, has been suppressed by the [Japanese] government, which has demanded that Okinawans accept the culture of mainland Japan.
During this process, Okinawans tried to contribute to the country of Japan, and be good citizens of Japan. Okinawans were taught that becoming members of the country would lead to happiness and they strove hard and held this belief dearly. As I have mentioned earlier, Okinawans were dragged into WWII and their fighting spirits were fanned by the newspaper in Okinawa. They ended up fighting in the battle of Okinawa. The ending point of their efforts to become good Japanese citizens was the battle of Okinawa. People in Okinawa felt that they ended up fighting in the battle of Okinawa [which produced many casualties] due to their efforts to live up to the expectations of the national government. As a result, a deep antiwar feeling is dominant among them.
Also, Okinawans have a great sense of remorse about the developments of modern history. With this resolution to avoid waging wars and remorse over its history, Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972. [Okinawa was an official US territory between 1945 and 1972.] When Okinawa was returned to Japan, Okinawans expected that they could finally become full members of Japan under Japan’s peace Constitution. When Okinawa joined Japan, Okinawans wished for a prosperous Okinawa. But even 43 years later, there are still bases in Okinawa. Okinawans cannot enjoy principles codified in the new Constitution, such as respect of the fundamental human rights and rule of law. I would like you to understand that due to this background, in recent years Okinawans increasingly feel as though they are not full members of this country. I would like you to help us to get out of this disadvantageous situation and solve the issues of the base. I believe that standing on the side of society’s minority groups and maintaining and strengthening the role of media in monitoring the authorities will ultimately lead to peace and a sense of safety and security for children of future generations. I hope that you share this belief, as well as the sense of crisis and need to cooperate with one another. With that, I conclude my opening statements.
Kazuhiko Taketomi, Editorial Chief of Okinawa Times
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to hold a press conference at the Japan National Press Club. Since the media outlets in Okinawa are often criticized by colleagues from the same industry, I had never thought that I would be given an opportunity to speak publicly in Tokyo. This is a good opportunity to talk about the history of Okinawa Times until today as well as what happened after Mr. Hyakuta’s comments.
The administrative office of the Japan National Press Club gave me topics that are relatively easy to talk about [some of the topics are: what does he think about Hyakuta’s comments in an LDP study group about “crushing the newspapers in Okinawa,” how does he feel about recent comments about Okinawa base issues and comments by Hyakuta, what were readers’ responses, what does Okinawa Times think about when they generate content for their issues, does the Okinawa Times have opinions about major media outlets, etc.) Normally, I hardly have any opportunities to make statements in public forums, so I am not as accustomed to speaking in public as I assume most of you are. When I held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club earlier today, I spoke first and the editorial chief of Shioya spoke after me. What we wrote in our manuscripts was almost the same, since we share many beliefs, enough to publish a joint statement of protest. I think my statement may overlap with Mr. Shiohira’s statement, but I appreciate your understanding.
Kazuhiko Taketomi, Editorial Chief of Okinawa Times
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to hold a press conference at the Japan National Press Club. Since the media outlets in Okinawa are often criticized by colleagues from the same industry, I had never thought that I would be given an opportunity to speak publicly in Tokyo. This is a good opportunity to talk about the history of Okinawa Times until today as well as what happened after Mr. Hyakuta’s comments.
The administrative office of the Japan National Press Club gave me topics that are relatively easy to talk about [some of the topics are: what does he think about Hyakuta’s comments in an LDP study group about “crushing the newspapers in Okinawa,” how does he feel about recent comments about Okinawa base issues and comments by Hyakuta, what were readers’ responses, what does Okinawa Times think about when they generate content for their issues, does the Okinawa Times have opinions about major media outlets, etc.) Normally, I hardly have any opportunities to make statements in public forums, so I am not as accustomed to speaking in public as I assume most of you are. When I held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club earlier today, I spoke first and the editorial chief of Shioya spoke after me. What we wrote in our manuscripts was almost the same, since we share many beliefs, enough to publish a joint statement of protest. I think my statement may overlap with Mr. Shiohira’s statement, but I appreciate your understanding.
First topic
What I think about the comment made by an MP and the comment “Crush two newspapers of Okinawa,” made by Mr. Hyakuta.
I am angry about the unfortunate comments made by Mr. Haykuta.
We touched on it in the joint statement issued by Ryukyu Shimpo. Their comments are based on suppression of speech, not allowing journalism that does not hew to the government’s position. Also, I regard them as violent comments that deny freedom of the press and free speech which are the core of democracy. Earlier, editorial chief Shiohira mentioned that it may be probably the first time we (the two newspapers of Okinawa) have issued a joint statement. I don’t think that we have published the joint statement either.
To tell the truth, the joint statement did not happen spontaneously. Actually, it was a reporter from a national paper who asked me if I would like to publish a joint statement with Ryukyu Shimpo.
He was angry about the news of the MP’s comments and he ran to me saying that he cannot forgive what happened. He was more angry for us, the Okinawa Times, and said to me that if I wanted to publish a joint statement with Ryukyu Shimpo, he would write about it. I realized that this was the first time such an opportunity had presented itself. I then discussed the plan with Editorial Chief Shiohira.
By the way, I feel that as a private citizen, Mr. Hyakuta has the right to speak his mind. I think that ultimately it is the public that will be the final judge of his comments. I would like to refrain speaking about him personally in more detail. Of course, while I am not happy that he said that they should “crush” the newspapers, what is even more problematic is the comment made by the Member of Parliament who incited Mr. Hyakuta to say that the two newspapers should be crushed in the first place. He asked that since public opinion in Okinawa is distorted, what should be done in order to lead them in the right direction?
This question was based on the arrogance that they know best. It shows their approach to government does not tolerate dissent.
Who does he think he is?
Obviously, Okinawa is a headache for the government and the coalition parties. I assume that they feel bitter about public opinion in Okinawa which cannot be manipulated by them. In recent elections, candidates opposing the construction of the Henoko Base won the majority of races. During last year’s gubernatorial elections, Nago city’s Mayoral election, Nago city’s municipal elections, a special election for an empty seat in the prefectoral assembly, and the election for Okinawa’s seat in the Lower House of Parliament, candidates backed by Liberal Democratic Party lost. Strictly speaking, while not all LDP candidates lost their races for the municipal assembly in Henoko, the majority of winners were candidates who supported the mayor of Nago city who opposes the construction of the Henoko base. Is the LDP saying public opinion in Okinawa is distorted just because the people of Okinawa made chose to elect people who will defy government policy? I regard the comment “pubic opinion in Okinawa is distorted” as a violent statement which denies democracy. This comment is looking down on the citizens and I cannot forgive it. I am far more angry about this comment rather than the other comment about crushing the newspapers of Okinawa. What you can see in Okinawa today is not the distortion, the yugami of public opinion which some members of Parliament would say, but rather deformation, or hizumi, coming from the stance with which the Abe administration deals with its problems with Okinawa.
Even though both yugami and hizumi are written with the same Kanji (Chinese character) 歪 and have a very similar meaning, there is a small distinction. Yugami is distortion as a result of an outside force, while hizumi is distortion from within.
The coalition parties and Abe administration should consider the difference between the two even though they are written with the same Kanji.
child need to see dentist and mother makes an appointment with the dentist a week before and on the day of hte appointment , the child is still claiming that he doesnot want to go.
In Okinawa’s gubernatorial election last November, governor Onaga won by an overwhelming majority due to his promise to oppose the construction of Henoko base during the campaign. However, Prime Minister Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga would not meet with him for quite a long time. This stance was completely different from the stance they took towards the former governor of Okinawa. It was April this year when they finally met with governor Onaga. Even though governor demanded the cancellation of the construction of the Henoko base, Prime Minister Abe disagreed, saying that construction of the Henoko base is the only solution. Up until today, the Prime Minister’s stance has not changed. As for Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga and Defence Minister Nakatani, both often used words such as “at the last minute” and “regardless of what happens” whenever they spoke about Okinawa. They do not use these phrases anymore since the governor said that these words are based on a perspective which looks down on them. But, from what I observed, what they are doing and what they are thinking are the same. Perhaps, in their bottoms of their hearts, they are thinking that the people of Okinawa still oppose the construction and they are looking down upon the people of Okinawa.
In regards to the comment made by the MP, I think it is a violent statement. Also, I think it is a reflection of the Abe administration since it was uttered by an MP who was close to the Abe administration and who knew the true intentions of the Abe administration. The Media in Okinawa has a history of journalism in the midst of suppression under US military rule as Okinawa was a US territory between 1945 and 1972. Since then, we have concentrated our efforts in monitoring and checking the people in power and reflecting citizens grievances and voices in the pages of our newspapers. I do not think this is anything special for a media outlet to do.
If media plays the role that it is supposed to play, then their work will be like ours.
I assume there are many in the media who play these roles.
However, this is not amusing to the coalition parties who are currently in power. We have received a lot of harassment.
I assume that among all of the materials distributed today, you have copies of our series of articles.
This is the series of articles that we published during Newspaper Week in the spring of this year and last year.
In the spring of last year, we published five articles on the topic, “Newspapers and Power.” This spring, we published three articles on the topic “Newspapers being Challenged.” I would appreciate it if you would read them after. The attack against the media in Okinawa is not a recent occurrence, however it has recently been in the spotlight, especially since the Abe administration was formed and members of the Liberal Democratic Party have held the majority of seats in Parliament. The copies of our newspaper are an example of this phenomenon.
As we touched on in our series of articles, MP Yuriko Koike mentioned that the media in Okinawa and in Arab countries are similar. The only things to come out of their papers are anti-Israel and anti-America. On another occasion, she said that it is the media in Okinawa that the MPs in Okinawa are fighting with. These comments are an attempt to put the blame on the media in Okinawa for the inconvenience which is that the people in Okinawa do not hew to their government’s wishes. However, if one sticks to the erroneous perception that media in Okinawa is manipulating public opinion, then he or she will fail to see the fundamental nature of the issues.
I admit that the situation in Okinawa is not progressing in the way that the government would want it to.
Even though Okinawa accounts for only 0.6% of the total territory of Japan, 74 % of US bases are located in Okinawa. US military aircraft are flying over Okinawa day and night emitting deafening roars. They often drop things accidentally.
