Japanese media attracted to power -- Akahata Current column, February 27

Great power dictates the world. Japan's mass media seem to firmly believe so.

In reporting the Iraq crisis, Japanese mass media pay little attention to anti-war public opinion and demonstrations. The recent worldwide action with more than ten million people taking part was too large for them to ignore. But they still believe that the world must follow the strong.

Japanese media reports are mostly based on false presumptions that those countries which are now opposing a war will eventually take sides with the United States. Those media are interested in power politics or diplomatic maneuvers rather than public opinion. Some say that Akahata is biased. But make no mistake. Those who narrow their perspective by only focusing on the powerful are the ones with bias.

The same applies to reports on a recent mayoral election in Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan. A Japanese Communist Party member and former City Assembly member, Nakasato Nagato, was elected. A newspaper reported that the local Liberal Democratic Party sought to remove the Liberal Party-affiliated mayor and joined hands with the JCP, thus describing the LDP as the main player in the election.

Nakasato said this election cannot be described as a battle between parties ("Assembly and Autonomy" March issue). Rikuzentakata City in the past was under a government that squandered tax money for one public works project after another in disregard of their value. Nakasato thought this must be ended. Together with LDP members of the city assembly he organized public assemblies to hear residents' opinions. The residents movement grew out of this effort and had a great impact on the city's politics.

Major newspapers did not report why the JCP member was supported as a candidate by residents' and conservative groups. The factor was, as Nakasato humbly said, daily JCP activities based on the principle that "Residents are the key players." (end)