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NHK governor praises rightist's suicide in 1993 as glorifying emperor

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"Hasegawa, a 67-year-old academic.... "

An "academic" in a senior govt position who believes that the emperor is a living God, eh? Does this academic also believe in fairies and pixies?

I hope this series of news stories makes people around the world understand that highly reactionary and supremacist beliefs in Japan are not limited to the fringe, but run quite broadly through Japanese society.

36 ( +40 / -5 )

Y'know, it wouldn't be a bad idea for Emperor Akihito to show a little statesmanship at times like this and come forward to denounce this kind of drivel as nonsense. Knock it on the head, as it were.

While he's at it, he might remind these clowns of the importance of maintaining good relations with the good neighbours too.

41 ( +42 / -3 )

So if she is 67, she was born after the war. Have no idea what happened, nor a clue about how people suffered. http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v06/v06p451_Hasegawa.html

An example is that she stated that the B-29 flew beyond the reach of the anti-aircraft guns. They flew at 5000 ft. even though they were designed to fly at high altitude. Reality conflicted with the design of the B-29, namely the jet stream. Considering the view of the right-wing, I can't really say that the view of China and Korea of Japan is 100% wrong. As they say, those who don't learn from history are doom to repeat it.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Anyone surprised? NHK seems to want to publicly paint itself as ultra-right wing nationalists. At least their giving the people solid reasons for not paying.

10 ( +18 / -8 )

History has moved on from the time when a subject would take his own life to honor his master. It's foolishness in modern people's eyes. What entitles the royal family of such special honor? They are just parasites living on tax payers money. They are not better people than any other.

Then here comes this buy with his foolish nostalgia. He is still living in the past.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Wanna hear some more stuff to make you either laugh, cry or buy one way tickets out of Japan?

This brilliant lady is the

"Author of such barn burners as What Is This Thing Called Democracy?" (Demokurashii to wa nan na no ka) which draws a direct line between the spread of democracy and the carnage of World War I and Our Truly Terrifying Constitution (Honto ni osoroshii nippon kempo) which argues that the three pillars of the 1947 Constitution - people's sovereignty, human rights and pacifism -- inevitably lead to revolution, the death of monarchs, the guillotine, terror and Japan's dismemberment."

For me reading about the elites at NHK and where the above quote comes from

http://shisaku.blogspot.jp/2013/11/abe-names-his-nhk-governors-and-no-one.html

Yes, we've been worrying about trivialities. The real problem according to this Hasegawa Sensei is ....democracy.

I'm surprised a person with those views is allowed to teach anywhere, let alone be a professor of a university and on the board at NHK.

Welcome to Abe's World.

25 ( +27 / -3 )

What does it mean to be "right-winged" in Japan??? When I think of the Right, I think of the Tea Party here, is it the same?

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

The NHK management board should all get a check of their mental balance sheet.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

This is a 1983 paper by Hasegawa in English:

http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v06/v06p451_Hasegawa.html

4 ( +5 / -2 )

"What does it mean to be "right-winged" in Japan??? When I think of the Right, I think of the Tea Party here, is it the same?"

Yes. I imagine yourself utterly incapable of seeing both sides to an argument. Only seeing your side and completely ignoring any valid arguments. If you can do this, you are now Right Wing.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It was under this mindset that Japan committed atrocities in the countries it invaded..worrying to see it still endures in te apparently long peace loving culture of Japan. Japanese peace culture is a recent phenomenon imposed on Japan by the US and with the change of the constitution I won't be surprised how quickly Japans govt will revert back to it's disastrous and dangerous old ways

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Sabrage's link to Hasegawa's paper is something I would really recommend for those who aren't familiar with Japanese right-wing thinking.

Read that and you will understand wartime japan, and the current crop of right-wing politicians.

Hasegawa talks about how she started to read a lot about the war - and like all right-wingers, she read wartime accounts by Japanese. She refers to "the enemy".

If only Hasegawa and others like her would actually read wartime accounts by "the enemy".

IF the right-wingers actually read up on and looked at ww2 from the perspective of Chinese, Koreans, Australians, Americans, etc etc etc, they'd have a much more balanced view.

This statement says it all.

"To be sure, when an attack by a formidable power is so overwhelming that escape is impossible, perhaps the best tactic is blind and desperate struggle, and indeed this is exactly how Japan conducted the war. "

11 ( +13 / -2 )

seraphine Feb. 06, 2014 - 08:40AM JST Japanese peace culture is a recent phenomenon imposed on Japan by the US and with the change of the constitution I won't be surprised how quickly Japans govt will revert back to it's disastrous and dangerous old ways

China, despite treaty obligations, had long been laying the groundwork to close off the East China Sea to other nations, especially Japan. Moreover, China was even clearer when it asserted that the islands in the South China Sea “and surrounding waters” were “part of China’s core interests.” By using “core interests,” China was signaling it could never compromise China’s sovereignty over either the islands or those waters. All islands and waters inside the line, therefore, are China’s, at least according to the Chinese. It is the biggest attempted grab of territory since World War II. The U.S., despite its treaty obligations to defend the Philippines, let the Chinese take what they wanted. Why is this important? The world has prospered because of trade conducted freely over wide seas lanes and air routes. So China’s claim to the East and South China Sea, if permitted to stand, will mark the end of the open architecture of the Post-War world.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

What a nutter. I'd like to see more journalism exposing this kind of thing among the board. What kind of influence do these members have over programme content? Probably enough, and that's shameful for a publicly-funded body.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

In a free country people can have all sorts of opinions, good, bad, stupid or crazy. The fact is that the vast majority of Japanese citizens do not share her views. In fact I doubt the Imperial Household does either.

0 ( +16 / -15 )

“It is only to God human beings can offer their own lives,” she wrote in the document,

Compare that to the Judeo/Christian belief that your life is a gift from God, and that taking it willing is a major insult to him for destryong what he has given you.

An example is that she stated that the B-29 flew beyond the reach of the anti-aircraft guns. They flew at 5000 ft. even though they were designed to fly at high altitude.

Also, they did that since they changed their payloads to incendiary vice high explosive due to the nature of the home and building constrution in Japan and they wanted more destruction by creating fires vice explosions. But I get your point. This lady probably doesn't have an honest understanding of what really happened, her attitudes were probably generated from the same people who were responsible for the war and were alive then, but they didn't really want to accept responsibility. Her views were colored by the people she surrounded herself by, and probably doesn't want to see things more realistically.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

NHK is right wing and most of the US TV stations are hard left wing, NZ TV has a left wing agenda too. It is not uncommon for TV to take sides, after all they are one of the main influences of people in the country they operate in, and often controlled by the government.

My opinion is though, that anyone in any position of influence over the general population should Not make their personal opinion made public and should keep it to them selves or amongst friends only.

That includes stars, politicians, TV presenters, sports people and any one else who has major sway of the minds of the masses.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

A university had a professor who believed the emperor was a living god and was then selected by the PM to sit on a panel responsible for programming policy at Japan's public broadcaster. I think people should be very careful about where they send their children for tertiary education, be extremely suspicious of this Prime Minister and do not watch nor pay for this broadcaster whose members include a 'philosopher' who sounds like a cross between someone who plays Shogi with her dead ancestors and a person screaming rubbish from a black van.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

And NHK wants people to pay a licence fee. I for one do not wish toconribute to any right-wing organisations.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

ossanamerica:

In a free country people can have all sorts of opinions, good, bad, stupid or crazy. The fact is that the vast majority of Japanese citizens do not share her views

Yeah and I bet most Chinese don't want to have a war, but that doesn't stop you from making generalizations about a whole enemy nation. Or does your logic only go one way? Next you'll be telling me you don't hate the Chinese because you've eaten at a Chinese restaurant.

Jefflee:

An "academic" in a senior govt position who believes that the emperor is a living God, eh? Does this academic also believe in fairies and pixies?

What next? Is she going to say Amaterasu created the world?

Yeah, sure, freedom of speech in Japan.......as long as what you say falls in line with the right-wingers, otherwise good luck dodging the bullets.

Sweet mother of Jesus, yet another godsend to China and Korea. Japan just keeps digging a deeper hole for itself. And by the way, would NHK stop comparing itself to the BBC. In fact, can Japan stop comparing itself to the UK. Nothing like each other.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

A Japanese believing that Amaterasu created the world doesn't bother me.

A leading academic and person of influence at NHK which contributes to the education of young people publicly stating that democracy is wrong, and that a man suiciding is a worthy sacrifice to the emperor as a living god, should be cause for concern.

I think a person of that influence saying that a person's suicide being a worthy sacrifice to Queen Elizabeth or Obama would be cause for days of uproar until the person was forced to resign.

But this is Japan.

I just hope this woman never has anything to do with educational programs.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

“It is only to God human beings can offer their own lives,”

Absolute nonsense. I think the emperor himself is going to have come out himself and set these ninnies straight. The situation in Japan is bad enough without this old nationalist crap.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Nutcase, and Abe put this moron here. I don't like this crap

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Yeah and I bet most Chinese don't want to have a war, but that doesn't stop you from making generalizations about a whole enemy nation. Or does your logic only go one way? Next you'll be telling me you don't hate the Chinese because you've eaten at a Chinese restaurant.

Very well said Pukey2. If Abe, Ishihara, Michiko Ossan and B Joe don't hate that particular race, Sun Goddess Amaterasu will descend to NHK station and announce Emperor has become a living God again.

Seppuku or ritual suicide has still existed in Japan for death with honour, pride and dignity. In old days, Samurais will ask other to behead their head whilst they were opening their stomach. Due to NHK propaganda, many depressed people have taken their own lives. That station management is parasite for modern society with their medieval ideology.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"Hasegawa praised Shusuke Nomura, an extreme nationalist who committed ritual suicide in the offices of the liberal Asahi newspaper in 1993 in protest at its mockery of his right-wing group." - article

Are the rightists in Japan just as nuts as the GOP-Tea nuts in the United States?

Nomura's response to mockery of his right wing group was shooting himself in the stomach. That's the kind of "rational" thinking Japan needs? 'Disagree with me, point out the foolishness of my group's design and I shoot myself for deity'?

Adding crazy on top of crazy, somehow Hasegawa praises suicide with, “His Imperial Highness, even if momentarily, became a living God again,"? This, twenty years in contemplation of the act and its genesis? This is what is passing as a rational viewpoint in Japan at NHK?

These are the ideas that vie to control Japan and its relationship with the rest of the world?

Either there's a small group of nuts leading the government or the Japanese people have some serious house cleaning to do in government.

Let the people of Japan remember George W. Bush and his henchman Dick Cheney. How many must die for mad desires of deity, absolute power and wealth? The States spent five trillion on Bush's Wars so far, how much do the rightists in Japan want to spend on theirs? For deity?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As more people with these revisionist, archaic and blatantly dangerous views gain footing within the mechanisms of this society's structures, the more extreme the reactions and consequences will be from a increasingly alarmed, fearful and angry international community. This government is nationalistic at best, and it is seemingly headed towards a confrontation that it covets when it continually, blindly, insists that it is right and everyone else is wrong.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

So when Abe said he wanted more women in prominent roles, he meant his own hand-picked nut-cases.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Since when did NHK become such a menagerie of fruitcakes? I thought it was supposed to be a serious organisation. One fears for the future of Japan with crackpots like this at the helm.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

why is this suck big news? everyone already knows that nhk is in the pocket of the gov't and that investigative news services are nonexistent in japan. but at least nhk is not as blatant as FOX news in the US.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

So what would be a good news channel in Japan if NHK is like Fox??? (sorry, my husband isn't a big political party or news follower, and I'm a pretty hard lefter...so to know I've been getting my info from a Fox like news source is unsettling) Thank you.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If not for democracy and a new constitution, we wouldn't have heard of this nitwit. She'd be serving coffee and doing type-ups for all her male "colleagues". She praised a clown that needed to be mocked. Honor a "real man" like Mishima Yukio who did it the right way. (sarcasm)

@StormR, the US media is hard left? Maybe from NZ standards. I don't see it that way personally.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

there are lunatics in every country. and also not uncommon to see "patriotism" in high places. Many of us may not agree with these 2, but i know quite a few of my Japanese friends (who are intelligent, succesful, young to middle aged and quite happy around gaijin) who hold similar views to these 2.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Can anyone explain how the Prime Minister gets to choose the governors of a supposedly neutral broadcasting organisation?

And in what way is the government hand-picking rabid idealogues to pump out justification of revisionist tripe any better than state propaganda of the type they churn out in North Korea, which we are supposed to mock at any opportunity?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

At this point I think it's just public bandwagoning so that these governors can keep their post. Most extreme conservatives and liberals often adopt an 'us or them' mentality and force dissenting opinions out of their group. A Shame because it makes them as legitimate as CCTV.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is indeed troubling to think such extreme ideology has infiltrated a mainstream media outlet to such a degree. I wonder where all this will end. To be sure every country has its fair share of fanatics, but I wonder how many would be hand picked by the government to take control of the media? Not many in progressive, democratic country. All this makes me question how long I want to live in such an environment.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I wonder if her parents had any children that lived?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This is a tragedy though as up to now, NHK has been the only channel that is not total shite. Looks like that might be about to change.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

That means NHK is no different from China's TV media companies, simply a mouthpiece of its government. Thank god i have never paid and will never pay for their rubbish....

10 ( +11 / -1 )

What is "ritual" about this suicide using a pistol? The original Mainichi article does not say anything about "ritual". http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20140205k0000m040180000c.html

I think the AFP article is just taking bits from the original Mainichi article, or does it have some independent news source? Does AFP think any suicide by a Japanese ritual?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

It is only to God human beings can offer their own lives...

This woman is nuts.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

”but i know quite a few of my Japanese friends (who are intelligent, succesful, young to middle aged and quite happy around gaijin) who hold similar views to these 2.”

I know dozens. Basically. even most educated Japanese don't know much about the war. If they decide to be conscientious and study, what do they study?

Start reading about Nanking, Comfort Women, etc IN JAPANESE on the internet and you will understand.

They read about a comfort woman getting paid so much she can buy 20 houses, and read an excerpt from ONE letter from John Rabe thanking the Japanese for not attacking the international zone in Nanking, and see photos of Japanese soldiers playing with smiling Chinese kids.

It's scary.

NHK should be doing things like airing programs about someone like John Rabe. Perhaps they could even broadcast the movie given that the theatre companies refused.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Pukey2Feb. 06, 2014 - 09:29AM JST ossanamerica: "In a free country people can have all sorts of opinions, good, bad, stupid or crazy. The fact is that the vast majority of Japanese citizens do not share her views"

Yeah and I bet most Chinese don't want to have a war, but that doesn't stop you from making generalizations about a >whole enemy nation. Or does your logic only go one way?

China isn't a free country, It is actually illegal to express an opinion counter to that of the government.

Next you'll be telling me you don't hate the Chinese because you've eaten at a Chinese restaurant

Yes why don't you start telling everyone what they are going to be saying,

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

I used to describe this country as 'unique' and meant it in a very positive way. The longer I live here, the word 'weird' seems to be more appropriate. Glorifying suicide exemplifies that opinion.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

The Japanese voters knew Abe is a rightwing nutter who is also incompetent. Yet they voted his party into power again in a landslide. Abe, like Bush in the USA, is doing all he can to destroy his country in order to regain the "glories" of the Japanese past. Which they all seem to forget lead to WW2 and the country being destroyed back then.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Hey, this Prof is really good. I am not sure how suicide can create a god, but, I see that she has also stirred up some controversy by suggesting that women's involvement in the workplace is causing the low birth rate rather than the other way round, and arguing instead for the division of labour. http://www.iza.ne.jp/kiji/column/news/140106/clm14010603200001-n3.html

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I personally feel they will stop to nothing to try to revitalize this mindset among all their people. I somehow come to the conclusion living here that the majority of them are like little space ships from the movie Independence Day. When it get near the mother ship, all it's operation systems turn online. EVERYTHING seems to be centered on the Japanese way, and as much as they say so, that emperor has a lot of pull.

If they want to offer something to God, why don't they offer themselves to other races of humanity? Truly strive to love and embrace people and races of other countries. People who think differently than them. Who look different than them. With the population decline, why not welcome foreigners? Not reject them or abort their children. And Not only white, blonde haired ones. Reconcile with your Asian neighbors. Truly and sincerely be honest with yourself about what you did in the past. It's easy to do some ritualistic suicide to look like a cool samurai showing your love for your country. But I don't think that is an offering they can do.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It is why I will NEVER vote LDP as their ranks are full of "fruits, flakes and nuts". Think it is time for another general election.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

@Yuri. but who would win? And who would you vote for.

i don't think the non-LDP parties have their acts together.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Sorry, but there is nothing honourable about taking your own life regardless of the circumstances. It's just a very weak attempt at becoming a martyr and, by this woman's comments, obviously he succeeded in becoming a martyr. At least he didn't strap a couple of kilos of C4 to his chest and take out the NHK building with him. I don't know which faith he followed, Shintoism or Buddhism, but neither of these faiths support giving your life to you god. I don't know which one of these two is crazier, the fool that spilled his guts as a martyr or the woman that is glorifying his death.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Wanna hear some more stuff to make you either laugh, cry or buy one way tickets out of Japan?

See when someone uses that argument the other way, all the wanna-be socialists on this site come out and say "bottom of the barrel argument". Truthfully, I really don't understand all the people not born here who continue to live in such a country. I mean you are all here of your own choosing right? Citizens of other (better) countries, right? The fact that none of you are leaving tells me that you don't really believe your propaganda. Because if you seriously believed that Abe was Hitler and NHK had a sinister plot to brainwash people into thinking the Emperor is a god, then you wouldn't stay here.

Please hurry to your nearest travel agent. Its one simple step you can take to preserve your life against the inevitable day the goon squads come for the gaijin.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

What's even scarier is that, of course, NHK as well as other Japanese media outlets are portraying Abe and his cronies as innocent victims when they are guilty of just as much pot-stirring (if not more) than their Chinese and Korean counterparts. Just remember, kids, with great ignorance comes great confidence!

6 ( +7 / -2 )

OssanAmericaFEB. 06, 2014 - 09:10AM JST

In a free country people can have all sorts of opinions, good, bad, stupid or crazy.

There is only one country still have Gothic fiction opinion as Emperor is a divine living God. That opinion did not come from street hawker. It was come from high profiled, highly educated and highly praised board members of NHK.

The fact is that the vast majority of Japanese citizens do not share her views.

Hopefully majority do not! Japan is changing with many conservative and nationalistic ideas. Japan has the highest suicide rate in the world. Although there may be other issues for suicide , ancient sacrifice of offering himself or herself to the God for preserving honor and pride is one of the contributing factor. That nutty tradition should be denounced.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

If NHK keeps playing it's cards this way, non-permanent resident ex-pats may finally have a "Get Out of Paying NHK Fees Free" card. The more politicized the network becomes, the more dangerously close it gets to forcing us to violate the terms of our visa prohibition against engaging in political activity while in Japan by subsidizing right wing nationalism. Wouldn't want foreigners interfering with the political destiny of Japan, would we? ;-)

On a more serious note, however...

"The fact that none of you are leaving tells me that you don't really believe your propaganda. "

This is a fairly narrow view. I would venture to guess that ex-pats who stay despite their misgivings do so out of a hope -- perhaps naive -- that the electorate will see reason at some point, or that things will get better before they get worse. Yes, perhaps naive, but then again, I don't think most Germans really expected their country would usher in the extermination of 6 million Jews on its way to assuaging Hitler's self-esteem issues.

Abe isn't that far removed with some of the more disturbing emotional baggage he's been hauling around Japan's political establishment.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

A very noble act by Mr Nomura. I'd urge anyone who sincerely shares his political views to follow his example....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

NHK is the Fox News of Japan.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

'NHK is the Fox News of Japan' Fox bleated on about a 'War on Christmas'. Perhaps NHK can highlight the war on Emperor worshippers.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

NHK is the Fox News of Japan.

Show me where someone on Fox news has said that Bush, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or any other American President is a divine God. If anything, you will find that sort of banter on MSNBC.

The only difference here in Japan is that NHK is forced on people here, unlike Fox in America, you can choose not to watch. but for some reason, they still have the highest ratings and yet we have a very liberal President.

If this lady is in charge of what programming goes on the air, then we would probably see more right leaning shows and guess what, people don't have to watch it. But in Japan, NHK would still be fine since they make people pay for it. At least Murdoch has enough since to seperate the News Division from Entertainment, and you can see shows on Fox that would not seem to fit the agenda (allegedly) of the news division.

If people don't like the direction of NHK, don't watch, and elect people who will defund NHK and make them compete with the rest of the media landscape.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

NHK is the Fox News of Japan.

No it's not. NHK is more like the North Korean Central News. Like NHK and Japan, North Korea worships their leader as a living god, and like Japan, North Korea also controls their state TV channel.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Next step, he might be mentioned and honoured in Japanese school textbooks!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Wouldn't want foreigners interfering with the political destiny of Japan, would we? ;-)

You put a little smiley face after that comment. Why?

Leave the "political destiny of Japan" to the Japanese. They neither want nor require our help. Why is that hard to understand?

And all that stuff above about a "naive belief that the electorate will see reason" ... that's just you assuming you know best for everyone else on the planet, a common problem with liberal Westerners.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

PeacetrainFeb. 06, 2014 - 11:03AM JST

I know dozens. Basically. even most educated Japanese don't know much about the war.

Start reading about Nanking, Comfort Women, etc IN JAPANESE on the internet and you will understand.

What did the most educated Japanese not know about the war? You say they know Battle of Nanjing and comfort women. What didn't they know? I am just curious. Are you sure you are more knowledgeable than the most educated Japanese?

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

NHK's board of buffoons score again, three times in a week - it must be a record. It's a pity NHK can't find the airtime to report on this great Japanese achievement. However, I have noticed that the North Korean abduction issue is back with a regular slot on the Sunday evening 7 pm news, just as it was when Abe was last in charge. If you seek evidence of government interference in NHK "news", there it is.

That Mr Nomura sounds like a prize doofus; I hope Asahi Shinbun charged his family for the cost of cleaning up their lobby. As for Hasegawa, anyone who believes that the old duffer in the imperial palace is a god should be locked up in a psychiatric hospital, not put in charge of the national broadcaster. But you can't expect much when you have an unhinged lunatic running the country.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

If it is devoted in the truly right way, there could be no better offering. When Mr Shusuke Nomura committed suicide at the Asahi Shimbun headquarters 20 years ago, he… offered his death to God

The difficulty here is to devote it truly in the right way. This takes enormous will and determination. But in general she's correct with what she said.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

AlphaapeFeb. 06, 2014 - 01:38PM JST

Show me where someone on Fox news has said that Bush, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or any other American President is a divine God. If anything, you will find that sort of banter on MSNBC.

I am a bit curious about how Americans think of religious freedom, where Presidents conclude speeches with "GOD bless America" and where coins are printed "In GOD we trust".

The only difference here in Japan is that NHK is forced on people here

Do you watch NHK? No one is made to watch NHK. People are just made to pay the broadcast fees. The broadcast fees are like taxes people have to pay. The only difference is that people have to listen to speeches preaching GOD and have to use coins with "In GOD we trust" on them.

-6 ( +2 / -9 )

ritual suicide is just a cowards way to escape there responsibility. and dont give me the way of the Samurai BS. if that was the case then all the honorable warriors would have committed suicide by the defeat of WW2

10 ( +11 / -1 )

NHK is not a monolith. In fact many of the program makers are rather leftist.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Suicide before a cute little mochi ball would not make it God no matter how he tried or who applauded.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

NHK shoots themselves in the foot yet again. I wonder if these geriatric cretins have any idea the damage they are doing to Japan`s international image

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Nomura clearly set an example that all right wingers should emulate.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Perhaps the governors of NHK should show equal devotion to the Emperor. They won't be missed.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Show me where someone on Fox news has said that Bush, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or any other American President is a divine God.

That's because, under Christian doctrine, mere mortals cannot be compared to God. Notice, though, all of the innuendo Fox exudes implying that Democrats in general (and Obama in particular) are somehow less Christian and less American than Republicans.

NHK is not a monolith. In fact many of the program makers are rather leftist.

I agree, Goals0; some NHK programming I find quite good. My point is that, for ideologues, interpretation is preordained; what is required is cramming all information coming to light through that particularly shaped ideological hole, not analyzing and evaluating the data objectively. Fox is infamous for that; let's hope NHK does not emulate them too, uh ... religiously.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

no serious academic suggests the brutal sacking of the city [Nanking] did not take place, although it is a canard beloved of Japan’s extreme right.

From what I have seen/heard, I would say this is a canard beloved of much of the Japanese population from all walks of life. Many in this country desperately want to take Abe's "beautiful" Japan rhetoric to heart, readily believing any suggestion that paints Japan in a positive light. Sad to say, I find this particularly true with Japan's under-30 crowd, most of whom have never met a WWII veteran.

On another note, in the last 20 years NHK has swung from a stance of constructively looking back on the past, to one of reconstructing the past.

In 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end to WWII, I remember NHK broadcasting a series reflecting on the war, which included a number of interviews with former Imperial soldiers detailing atrocities they had been involved with, and expressing remorse. One year later, during Abe's first term as PM in 1996, there was a scandal involving NHK where the government had censored part of a documentary that included testimony of former soldiers and comfort women. Now, NHK seems nothing more than a propaganda device, unwilling to touch anything that doesn't put Japan in a positive light.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

"You put a little smiley face after that comment. Why?"

One, it's not a "smiley." It's a "wink." Two, it's called sarcasm, reflecting what I see as an ironic contradiction between laws that very clearly spell out what rights foreign visitors have in the Japanese political process and what their responsibilities are with regard to paying local and national taxes and fees that both directly and indirectly influence political winds. Sarcasm. Irony. "Winks" generally help to convey both, but apparently not with all readers.

"Leave the "political destiny of Japan" to the Japanese. They neither want nor require our help. Why is that hard to understand?"

Nothing difficult to understand about it at all. See my comments regarding sarcasm and irony.

"And all that stuff above about a "naive belief that the electorate will see reason" ... that's just you assuming you know best for everyone else on the planet, a common problem with liberal Westerners."

When I've taken a vested interest in my adopted home to the degree that I've married, had a child, and begun the process towards citizenship, that's not me assuming I know what's best for the planet as a "liberal Westerner." That's me assuming I know what's best for my family. Living in a Japan where the political establishment doesn't go out of its way to put a giant nuclear target on the back of my wife and child seems like a fairly reasonable and valid endeavor.

Or are you suggesting that I'm not Japanese enough to have these sorts of concerns, much less act upon them? Japan for Japanese? Expel the barbarians? Nihonjin-ron? Hmmm...

:-) <----That's a smiley

3 ( +4 / -1 )

ritual suicide is just a cowards way to escape there responsibility.

There is that. There is also extreme stupidity at play too though.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am a bit curious about how Americans think of religious freedom, where Presidents conclude speeches with "GOD bless America" and where coins are printed "In GOD we trust".

@ CH3CHO: Yes American Presidents and othes do say that, but they don't say that one particular human being who is alive should Bless America. If you pointing at America, then you should also poing at GB and their homage to the queen. They ask God to Bless her, not for her to Bless them.

But if she choses to worship the Emperor and throne, then more power to her. Notice I didn't say she was being sacreligious. Just thought it was odd that she believed the Emperor to be divine and that one killing himself for the Emperor was a religious act.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No it's not. NHK is more like the North Korean Central News

Truth bomb.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

My, my. The whitewashing of "comfort women" comments, NHK's Immoral Beloved, aka "Japan's Beethoven," unmasked as an 18 year-long fraud, and now this!

It's getting easier and easier to justify my not paying even one yen for NHK and its superannuated gang of Abe-approved rightists.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

is falling meekly into line with Prime Minister Abe's aggressively nationalist agenda

And who's opinion is this? Surely this is not reporting of "news".

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

AlphaapeFeb. 06, 2014 - 04:41PM JST

I am a Buddhist and I do not understand what Professor Michiko Hasegawa said. I do not support her or her idea that the Emperor is a living god. It is just fine with me that she is kicked out of the NHK Board. All Buddhist board is just fine with me.

But at the same time, I also think that NHK Board should have diversity in religious views. The question is if her idea or religious view is within the range of "socially acceptable religion". Where should we draw the line between "socially acceptable" and "socially unacceptable" religion, if such things exist? I still do not have the answer to the question.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Though not owning a television set, NHK told us we still needed to pay their fees!!! Yes! Seems having 1-seg on phones, access to the station via computers and even car navigation systems also makes one obligated to pay the fees!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Regarding ww2? You bet I am.

Lol, I have to say much the same. As for me, my knowledge of Japan goes back to the early samurai period. It`s the whole point, most Japanese are totally unaware of history. They need to have a unit devoted to World War 2 in school, fairly looking at it from all angles. Then maybe, just maybe, Japan might develop future leaders with responsible minds

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Unfortunately, it's my experience that many, far too many, Japanese subscribe to this nonsense. They believe in their uniqueness and that outsiders can never ever truly understand them. I guess there is comfort in that... I find it troubling (to say the least) that these views are being expressed more openly without the docile mass that is the japanese populace react. These nutjobs will probably gain momentum and young, insecure people will believe in their drivel. Then, as poverty increases, more people will follow.

The Japanese mindset of following the herd is dangerous here. In mature democracies, people are used to questioning and challenge idiots face to face. Since the Japanese have their unhealthy respect/fear of "authority" (which I am sure NHK is considered to be) they don't do this.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Though not owning a television set, NHK told us we still needed to pay their fees!!! Yes! Seems having 1-seg on phones, access to the station via computers and even car navigation systems also makes one obligated to pay the fees!

Well, tell them youre not paying till Momii, Hyakuta, and Hasegawa all resign. If it was up to me,(unfortunately it isnt) I wouldn`t be paying their fees

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sensato FEB. 06, 2014 - 03:54PM JST

Abe has also flip flopped former PM apology of 1995. One thing I like to correct as Abe first term started in 2006. Not in 1996 as you mentioned. His first term lasted only a year. He is full of Venom as cobra.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Damn I often say its embarrassing to be a gaijin in Japan today because of balh blah blah, buts its now quickly becoming a month of embarrassment here's hoping it doesn't get extended to the year or more, DAMN!

Its scary to get a peak at whats beneath the surface here, & as KnoxH says even if most here disagree, if momentum picks up MOST WILL follow, we have seen it before!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Are some of you awake???? Bush, Cheney etc., left the WH 6 years ago ... oh I get it, you are still working for Acorn and OB. and someone forgot to tell you your hero has been in the WH for that length of time , but as goody two shoes liberals you are still blaming them.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No, it does not make a mere man a god. Anyway I sometimes wish more of the "elite" politicians and company presidents (like Shimizu) who cause great harm to the Japanese people by their actions would commit this "ritual suicide".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Interesting to note that the first thing you do when planning a fascist takeover is.........take over the media. First thing a Govt. does when war starts is.........take over the media. It's a technique as old as the hills.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Why so much hatred against Japanese traditions, here? Why so much violence against people who see things differently? Why do Occidentals always criticize things that they do not understand? Why don't you leave nostalgic people in peace? For what reason are you constantly complaining about Japanese legitimate pride? You, Japanese bashers, should be ashame for insulting people who do not act as you would them to. Long life to Japan

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Long life to Japan

Not if people commit suicide to make the Emperor a God, there won't be.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Ludwig: apart from a few Japanese nuts, harakiri is a totally outdated thing you cannot even call a tradition. The point here is that for the second time in less than a week, NHK management is clearly showing its right-wing inclination, while by law it should remain neutral. For a public media subsidized by mandatory fees by all Japanese residents, this is a serious issue, that does not speak in favor of promoting democracy.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

This will probably lead to even more suicides in Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Jeepers, who let the lunatics run the asylum at NHK? As if Abe doesn't have enough problems....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Oh, so sorry Mr. Weeaboo for criticizing the glorious, infallible and divine country of Japan (in fact people are only criticizing the Japanese government).

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Right wing in Japan means... being belligerent and ruthlessly indifferent against the victims of their aggressions.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

CH3CHOFeb. 06, 2014 - 02:07PM JST

What did the most educated Japanese not know about the war? You say they know Battle of Nanjing and comfort women. What didn't they know? I am just curious. Are you sure you are more knowledgeable than the most educated Japanese

I used to see your heated debate about Nanking Masscare, Comfort Women and other atrocities issues from JT. There are three version for history. One is for Japanese reading background. One is for English reading back ground and one is for Chinese reading background.

All versions may be not perfect. However J version is more supportive for right wing NHK board members theory. Hasegawa is the most educated Japanese professor. However she becomes like cult religious leader who is encourging the suicide for glorifying emperor. These educate people are making Japan backward as old era.

0 ( +3 / -2 )

"Sad to say, I find this particularly true with Japan's under-30 crowd, most of whom have never met a WWII veteran."

I feel sorry for the under 30s crowd. There's nothing wrong with being proud of your country.

But that is the whole point of learning history. You can learn the terrible things that SOME people did at SOME time in the history of your country and still be proud. Obviously, especially when neither you or your friends have done anything wrong.

Japanese don't need to be ashamed of their country at all - Except of the fact that certain leaders deny history.

5 ( +3 / -0 )

I hope that Hasegawa would show her support for Nomura - who comitted harakiri, basically in protest of democracy - by resigning from NHK. Maybe she could take all the right-wing nut cases with her

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Why so much hatred against Japanese traditions, here? Why so much violence against people who see things differently? Why do Occidentals always criticize things that they do not understand? Why don't you leave nostalgic people in peace?

so what do you understand from this? No one has a problem with every aspect of Japanese traditions but .... cutting ones stomach and allowing ones own stomach acids to cause a slow agonizing death is not one which should be promoted to anyone. I don't know why you would support such a deranged action unless you're a masochist

3 ( +3 / -0 )

aussie-musashiFeb. 07, 2014 - 01:42PM JST

I hope that Hasegawa would show her support for Nomura - who comitted harakiri

Nomura shot himself with a pistol. No harakiri. http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20140205k0000m040180000c.html

heynongFeb. 07, 2014 - 09:08AM JST

I used to see your heated debate about Nanking Masscare, Comfort Women and other atrocities issues from JT.

I do not think I discussed much about Nanjing here. There are quite a lot of contradicting reports on the issue and I have not developed my view on this issue to talk in public. This does not mean I know nothing about Nanjing. I have read a couple of books on the topic but none of them convinced me. Japanese tend to refrain from talking if he is not convinced, whereas Americans, for example, are under pressure to talk about anything even if he knows almost nothing about it.

-5 ( +1 / -5 )

Nomura shot himself with a pistol. No harakiri.

Ok, I made a mistake with the method. Doesnt mean she shouldnt resign, and all on NHK who think like her

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Shusuke Nomura was a thug. He served a total of 18 years in prison for violent acts against individuals and institutions. He was no doubt a psychotic but one who could rally fellow psychotics. His suicide had nothing to do with the emperor. He was angry with the Asahi for calling him vermin. At that point he was burned out. His departure from this life was a psychotic act. How anyone, even a rightist, can have any respect for this man is beyond me.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Do you watch NHK? No one is made to watch NHK. People are just made to pay the broadcast fees. The broadcast fees are like taxes people have to pay.

I have a bit of a simplistic view of taxes, based on the undoubtedly naive idea that if I pay money to someone, like the government or a public service broadcaster, they give me something I want in return, like a police service, streetlights, or TV programs that I want to watch. Even if I were told the taxes I pay already covered a subscription to NHK and that I could watch it for free, I still wouldn't. It's deadly dull and mediocre, and the fact that it's now run by deranged geriatric fascists intent on ramming their repugnant ideology down everyone's throats makes it even worse.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why so much hatred against Japanese traditions, here?

@Ludwig Deck - pistol suicides aren't Japanese 'tradition'.. what a strange thing to say.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Mitch, you are right. I was more talking about people who seek to honour the emperor through their death, about people who are loyals to their head, to their country. Those people, whatever they do, always are insulted. Using pistol isn't seppuku, that's true. But, at the opposite of it, american comptemporary standards of life (which are imposed to japaneses as to frenchs)are merely decadence, easy big money, ultra-violence, hate of local tradition, submission to bankcracy... I am not saying that this man was right. I am saying that this man did was right to him, and he acted as a man, not as a coward. If people believe that their duty is to die for the emperor, to me, that's not more ridiculous than being a naive sheep all his life, accepting american oppression as cool thing. I believe Mishima, for exemple, was A man.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Living God story: We used to joke anyone who use 'gofujou' (Japanese toilet) is not a God. in school and teacher instructed not to talk loud anywhere. Hiding or not, we children knew Nan Jing and knew Japan stole Korea. No TV era so we dug magazines and books for entertainment, So, these were not secret.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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