Perspectives of ‘Local’ News
Since the early 17th century, Japan has partaken in the art of news printing. Their first modern newspaper was created by Englishman A. W. Hansard called the Nagasaki Shipping List and Advertiser. Since then, Japan has expanded its news outlets from paper form to radio, television, and website outlets. One of their most popular news outlets is The Japan Times. It’s one of the country’s oldest and largest English-language newspapers. It was founded about 125 years ago and it offers Japanese people the availability to read about current events and news in English. Initially, the newspaper was independent from the government but within the last decade has submitted to pressure from the Japanese policies.
While exploring the online outlet, readers can view national news stories. A recent article, written September 9th, 2022 titled Powerful typhoon slams into Japan as flood warnings issued tells of a typhoon that went through the Kyushu region. Thousands had to evacuate to safety after winds and rains took out power lines. Typhoon Nanmadol was near Fukuoka and had wind speeds up to 126 kilometers per hour.
Two of the country’s largest airways, ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines canceled nearly 800 flights. All Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains between Hiroshima and Hakata stations. Other trains across the nation were also impacted. An estimated 300,000 homes were without power on Monday in Kyushu. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told people to evacuate immediately if they “even felt the slightest danger.” All prefectures affected by the typhoon have applied the disaster relief law to all their municipalities.
The outlet also offers business, politics, commentary on culture, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle articles. One of the recent lifestyle articles written was titled, Pitch black: A therapeutic walk into total darkness. In this article, author Alex K.T. Martin explains how people are reclaiming their primitive fear of the night by going on walks in the dark. The trek takes place in complete darkness without the assistance of flashlights and takes about 40 minutes to complete. The object is to “immerse oneself in the inky depth of the wilderness.” The experience invokes unease, but supposedly can be rewarding. Jun Nakano has guided over 4,000 people on this trail. He speaks on how in today’s world there isn’t a distinction between night and day with technology and artificial lights.
Some studies have shown that turning off electric lights when the sun goes down provides deeper and more fulfilling sleep. Scientists have said that the body can only produce melatonin when it is really dark. These hikers say that when going on night walks their senses are heightened and that they notice smells and sounds that they don’t normally when going on a regular walk.
Another popular news outlet in Japan is The Asahi Shimbun. Like The Japan Times, this outlet also originated as a newspaper and has since expanded to an online format. It was also founded at around the same time as The Japan Times. Since its beginning in 1879, the paper has promoted an all-news format. The Asahi Shimbun is known for its left-leaning political views and regularly calls out big scandals on conservative politicians. When browsing their website most of the recent articles were about the typhoon previously mentioned above. Considering the extent of the issue, that is to be expected. Especially so residents will be able to keep up with what is going on.
One interesting article I found was titled 20 years after return to Japan, abductee can’t tell whole story. This political piece is about Kaoru Hasuike refusing to publicly speak on his abduction to North Korea in “fear of compromising the safety” of other Japanese abductees still in the country. In the 70s and 80s, the Japanese government thought as many as 12 citizens were being held captive in North Korea.
In 2002, Hasuike and his wife who were abducted at the same time were allowed to go back to Japan for a visit agreed on by both countries. When they got to Japan they informed their government that they wouldn’t be returning to North Korea and the Koizumi Administration stated that the couple would stay in Japan as “a matter of official policy.” Nineteen months later their children, who they had and raised while living in North Korea were returned to them. Hasuike has since written a book about him coming to terms with the time he lost called “Rachi to Ketsudan.” In the book, he doesn’t mention the organization that abducted him or the other Japanese abductees because they are still there. Hasuike encourages people and the government to talk about it more so children can meet their parents again before they pass.
In the culture section, another article I found was Fukada’s ‘Love Life” competes for top award at Venice filmfest. At the 79th Venice International Film Festival, this Japanese movie competes for the top Golden Lion award. The Venice Film Festival is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world. The movie, inspired by a song of the same name by Akiko Yano, follows the story of a married couple who deals with love and life. The movie stars Fumino Kimura, Kento Nagayama and Atom Sunada. It is set to release on September 9th in Japan.
Kei Ishikawa’s “A Man” is also in competition for the Golden Lion award. Kei Ishikawa will be returning to the festival for the first time in 6 years after his movie “Traces of Sin,” was also screened in the same section.
Lastly, a cute little article I found in the culture section was a feature story on a takoyaki cooker. The article was titled Electric guitar themed on ‘takoyaki’ strikes a chord in Osaka. In August, an electric-guitar shaped takoyaki (octopus dumpling) cooker was unveiled to promote the Osaka delicacy. When a knob on the body is turned, blue LED lights light up to mimic gas flames.
No comments:
Post a Comment