Thread by @YosukeBuchmeier

Absolutely agree. As many were wondering about the peculiar way the JP mainstream media is reporting about the motives of Abe’s assassinator, i.e. not mentioning that “particular religious group”, and as someone researching JP media and public discourse, here some thoughts(1/10)

https://twitter.com/mrjeffu/status/1546092481573720064

This avoidance of concrete names/ topics (called #agendacutting ) seems less motivated by a social responsibility toward that group (e.g. bc of fear of hate crimes) but rather by a fear that someone influential will get in trouble if that specific name was made widely public 2/10

When Nippon Kaigi became a topic in 2016, mentioning even its name was taboo for the major JP media for a long time. At that time it was likely out of consideration for then-PM Abe. Only when it wasn’t possible anymore to avoid it, some outlets mentioned NK, but marginally 3/10

While Nippon Kaigi became eventually known to most (foreign) JP researchers, large parts of the JP public are still unaware of its role, let alone the issues connected to it (historical revisionism etc). Thus, one can say JP media were successful in keeping it off the agenda 4/10

Think about it: Now if the name of the Unification Church resounded throughout the country, quite a number of politicians, primarily in the LDP, would need to answer uncomfortable questions. We may assume more people than only Abe’s inner circle have connections to the UC 5/10

Giving the voter the impression that powerful and hidden lobby groups yield influence on JP politics must be avoided (from LDP perspective). This would further deteriorate trust in the LDP & JP politics (yes, they’re still winning elections, but look at the voter turnout) 6/10

So the JP mainstream media shield the LDP from potential public pressure having to answer painful questions. Why the media are so obedient to particularly the LDP is another topic which would go bit too far here… (recommend reading J. Kingston, @desler, E. Krauss) (7/10)

So the peculiar way of reporting of the JP media continues: Keeping the public discourse as harmless as possible; don’t open any debates that could upend the existing power balance. Result is a bizarre news coverage that often leaves more questions than it provides answers 8/10

This reporting doesn’t foster trust in the media - sth badly needed these days. At least we find hints at the fringes of the JP media system: in the weekly magazines, alternative outlets etc. “Real journalism” in JP is found not in the center but at the margins of the system 9/10

For those who are interested in the workings of the JP media and happen to understand JP, here you find a wonderful summary by @tjimbo (10/10)