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Huffington Post launches Japanese edition

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"However, despite a well-developed Internet system throughout urban Japan, newspapers and other publications have been slow to make the shift to digital, and their websites remain relatively under-developed."

"Under-developed" is a nice way to say awful.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Timtak,

Shame there is no English language Japanese version.

Why? Not as if it would further discussion about Japan any more than Japantoday does. Do you really think it will ever get any deeper than the "Japan sucks!" "No it doesn't" argument so beautifully perfected on this site?

Thanks, but I'll be reading the Japanese version.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

the company’s first site in Asia, hoping to shake up the media landscape and generate discussion with readers.

This is an excellent move by Huffington. Just about time!! Japanese media and journalists need to be challenged professionally.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I wonder if they'll have the guts to take on the conservative establishment and the right wing like they do in the states. There seems to be this culture of 'avoiding conflict' in the Japanese media and anyone who doesn't toe the line gets relegated to the tabloid press. They've hooked up with Asahi. That's your answer right there.

Asahi is a liberal, left-leaning organization, quite often attacked (verbally and physically) by the ultra right.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"In association with Asahi shimbun"

So how much editorial control does Asahi have?

Commentators note they have traditionally done little to promote two-way communication with readers and have been slow to react to the changing demands of younger, more wired generations.

Basically, it's a Japanese version of Japan Today. : )

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Suspect it's likely to be ignored like the plethora of existing non-mainstream Japanese language news websites. The bottom line is that Ministers and officials will only give briefings to the Kisha Clubs, for which the membership is limited to Yomiuri, Mainichi, Asahi, Nikkei, Japan Times, regional papers etc. The Kisha Club reporters all know each other and agree among themselves on how an issue is to be handled.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"No one in America reads the Huffington Post, They just need the circulation."

Well, now, that's just a childish observation that doesn't stand up to even the most rudimentary scrutiny.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is truly a pivotal moment in the history of Japan

Alright, let's not get carried away Ariana... I like your site but important-moments-in-history-wise it's not exactly on the level of the first Toyota rolling off the assembly line.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Well, other reader-centric news sites such as Jan-Jan haven't exactly taken off like rockets here, it's tough to see what approach Huff-Po can take that might drive more intelligent news gathering and discourse. Bears watching, though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Do you really think it will ever get any deeper than the "Japan sucks!" argument so beautifully perfected on the Asahi Shimbun site?!

Indeed. More evidence for why an English version isn't warranted.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All the real discussion is on Ch2, not newspapers etc. That is their main competition.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Shame there is no English language Japanese version.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Just had a quick look and it is well constructed. It'll be interesting to watch this.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ah that's really good news. I'll definitely check it out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese people will not participate in discussing with English even though they learned English in schools. They may participate in discussions in writings in Japanese. Also Japanese journalists who work for American media hear Japanese and use a word processor in English to have articles. They hear English and can talk or answer in Japanese. In order to make Japanese participate in discussion in Japan, Huff Post should use Japanese language. Just my opinion.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Never been a fan of the English HuffPo, but I'll give this one a shot.....Never mind, I really don't like the way they will post any picture above a headline to get you to click on the article.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In USA, rught wing means republicans. Democrats? They are called Liberals.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Looks pretty good and already attracting plenty of comments. If your Japanese is not so good, I recommend using "rikaikun" from rikai.com where you can get a drop-down box with English translation when you put your cursor over unknown kanji or hiragana.

http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just checked out Huffington Post for the first time in my life. Isn't it just basically a tabloid?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wonder if they'll have the guts to take on the conservative establishment and the right wing like they do in the states. There seems to be this culture of 'avoiding conflict' in the Japanese media and anyone who doesn't toe the line gets relegated to the tabloid press.

If you read the discussion coming from the planned 3 year maternal leave article, it is clear to see that the overwhelming majority of opinion is "left wing" so I think this website will do well to foster real debate on the important issues in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For Huffington it may have some revenue from Japan but what Asahi needs is international reach not another Japanese newspaper.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There are many comment contributors in Japan Today who will be assets to Huffman Post. I think if Huffman Post has all articles in English and Japanese, these English speaking writers will further encourage Japanese writers to understand what is Free Speech they can achieve, I don;t mean personal attack specialists.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

II can confess, I live in USA but I never heard of Huffington Post. So, I don;t think it has trashy contents that USA people jump up to enjoy reading.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, I expect Huffpost wouldn't be allowed to set up shop in China.....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A majority of Chinese people do not own computers.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Is it going to be with Japanese language?

that's what 'Japanese version means' durrrrrrrrr!!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Huffing is not leftist. Hardly anyone is leftst in USA. Either republican or democrat or not interested in politics. Some people are called liberals but not leftist. USA had red phobia for many years.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just what Japan needs a LEFT WING (commie news ) paper fm the US . Research it yourself (do your own homework) .perhaps you may want to read a newspaper fm North Korea also

0 ( +0 / -0 )

has too much celebrity gossip and other trashy stories.

As Jon Stewart calls it: the Sideboob Gazette

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is it going to be with Japanese language?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Can't wait to read the Kisha Club fighting H-Po articles translated into English here at JT.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I wonder if they'll have the guts to take on the conservative establishment and the right wing like they do in the states.

But since there is no balance, NO one thinks about taking on the predominantly liberal media in the states, no checks and balances there and the Huff post won't go after them either. but then again, who in the states really pays attention to Ariana?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I hope it does not stoop to the trolop that comes out in JPNs English news PAPERS.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Maybe Jaoanese people will learn to discuss that non-Japanese speaking people demonstrate?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Maitake: But it seems that HuffPost will have only English language for this one.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Nice to know someone thinks Japan is still relevant.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I wonder what the Asahi Shimbun was thinking when they signed up on this deal. The English Huffpo has too much celebrity gossip and other trashy stories. Its page design is cluttered, and visitors have to click too many times to access the articles they want to read (and then click again to return to the home position). Certainly these flaws are unlikely to escape the notice of Japanese readers. I predict the local version will fizz out due to lack of interest by the end of 2013.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Do you really think it will ever get any deeper than the "Japan sucks!" "No it doesn't" argument so beautifully perfected >on this site? Thanks, but I'll be reading the Japanese version.

Do you really think it will ever get any deeper than the "Japan sucks!" argument so beautifully perfected on the Asahi Shimbun site?!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I don't think Huffington is politically oriented in USA at all. Sounds like it wants to open tight lipped Japanese people to open up their mind for a big change. This is why I hope the site is conducted in Japanese language.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Not impressed.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I wonder if they'll have the guts to take on the conservative establishment and the right wing like they do in the states. There seems to be this culture of 'avoiding conflict' in the Japanese media and anyone who doesn't toe the line gets relegated to the tabloid press.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

No one in America reads the Huffington Post, They just need the circulation.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

If the Japanese are into Leftist propaganda websites then Huffington's foray into Japanese language "journalism" should go quite well.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I wonder if they'll have the guts to take on the conservative establishment and the right wing like they do in the states. There seems to be this culture of 'avoiding conflict' in the Japanese media and anyone who doesn't toe the line gets relegated to the tabloid press.

They've hooked up with Asahi. That's your answer right there.

"No" if you didn't it.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

More US liberal political propaganda fluff is the last thing Japan needs. But hey, Huffington has millions to burn, so let her.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Shame there is no English language Japanese version

Why would they make an english language japanese version? They do not have millions of japanese who read english. Japanese edition writers and columnists are japanese and write in japanese, the 128 millions of japanese speak mainly japanese, why would they pay all that money to translate everything in english to please few readers?

They also have a Huffington Post France. It's in French only. Want to read the japanese one? just learn the language! You know the language spoken by the people you live with...remember?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

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