Takaichi vows to quit as lawmaker if document on broadcasters proven real

Abe in fact had top level people at NHK replaced with more LDP-friendly administrators, and his manipulation and control of the press was widely commented on-

[ The Silencing of Japan’s Free Press

Under the heavy hand of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s media is being forced to toe the government line. Or else. ]

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/27/the-silencing-of-japans-free-press-shinzo-abe-media/

[ Abe administration throttles media independence, journalists and UN say ]

https://cpj.org/2016/05/abe-administration-throttles-media-independence-jo/

Note to JT: This post is totally relevant and on-topic. Thank you for your understanding.

She should walk.

Abe was borderline fascist.

It is well known that Abe warned/threatened the press if they were too critical or negative their licenses would be up for review. NHK's main 9:00pm presenter lost his job for being critical of Abe, as well as the female newscaster on Close Up Gendai. This liar has to go!

Abe was awful

She's awful

It is well known that Abe warned/threatened the press if they were too critical or negative their licenses would be up for review. NHK's main 9:00pm presenter lost his job for being critical of Abe, as well as the female newscaster on Close Up Gendai. This liar has to go!

Hear! Hear!

Abe was borderline fascist.

borderline? More like full on.

Abe was awful

She's awful

that's putting it mildly.

Why quit? Fight against whatever you don't believe in an be the voice and action your voters highly expect from you.

"...Abe, known as a hawkish conservative..."

A cute euphemism for the "F" word. Given Abe's pedigree (scion of a WW2 fascist), muzzling criticism and bending the facts to his political advantage come as no surprise. Tweaking NHK to HMV are typical moves from the authoritarian playbook. History and Democracy 101 teach that people in power will always be tempted to sing from the authoritarian songbook. Citizens must watch 24/7 with one eye open because politicians will take advantage of every blink to remove another brick from the foundation of democracy.

@Legrande

Exactly!

Abe stacked the board of NHK with his cronies.

He ousted Ichiro Furutachi of ‘Hodo Station’, Shigetada Kishii of ‘News 23’, and Hiroko Kuniya from ‘Close Up Gendai’ all for their criticisms of his government and him. He was a fascist.

And this is completely on topic moderator.

Also, Takaichi is cut from the same cloth as Abe. Horrible fascist.

Also, Takaichi is cut from the same cloth as Abe. Horrible fascist.

absolutely! well said

pledged Friday to quit as a lawmaker if a document indicating political pressure on broadcasters, made public by an opposition Diet member, is proven to be authentic.

As other posters have noted, Takaichi’s views and actions regarding the news media have long been crystal clear. She doesn’t believe in a free press.

When I read about brave people in other Asian countries fighting for basic freedoms (e.g., Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong), it makes me sick and ashamed that Japan has politicians like Sanae Takaichi who are prominent in the LDP and are trying to turn "democratic" Japan into a fascist, authoritarian state.

She should quit . . . but probably won't.

I remember Takaichi's mentor Abe saying he would resign if proven that he (and his wife) were in bed with the Kagoikes in the Moritomo scandal. We all saw how big he was on keeping his promises. Zero expectations from the other LDP tools, especially those who were that deep in bed with him.

They're all a bunch of liars- starting with that snake Abe. I agree with blue. The document will be found to be true, and she will make up some lame excuse to keep up her "duties" to the people. She will bow and deeply reflect on her past actions and that will be that.

People are outraged but this kind of thing is catching on around the world. The Trudeau government in Canada is passing legislation that gives them total control of all mainstream media and Internet content.

Amazing that any criticism of old Shinzo is met with so many downvotes. Considering this site has a majority of foreign posters, why the love for him?

Authentically Putin and Abe and its group's approach to media seems to be the same!

It is a smell of pre-WWII cencership and clearly againt the freedom of speech and democracy.

Actually there have little reportings on opposition sides or critics against the current administration policies on media.

For the best benefits for people and voters there should be pros and cons arguments on media, so we need the freedom of speech!!!"!!!

Sound serious. Fightin words. But same beat. Same kick drum sounds…

This one time this quote will not be pull. Well Takaichi there the door tell your story walking.

Turn on Japanese TV and a magical fairyland appears devoid of any intellectual debate and the focus is on food,travel and strange events in foreign countries.

NHK harps on about the uniqueness and history of Japan which only a minority of Japanese are involved with.

Japan is no North Korea but the playbook is worded in a similar fashion….

I hear she only got elected due to Shinzo's influence.

A nasty piece of work who would rather Japan return to the feudal age even if it means bombing the economy than becoming a true democratic, egalitarian society.

God awful policies aside, although I did admire her desire to spend on digitalization, this woman is NOT nice. I have seen her on TV post Abe assasiantion and she presents pretentiously and holier than thou. Her policies are largely hawkish and medieval… just like her groomer, Abe, taught her to have. She’s not going to help this country.

I never hope for much, but this woman’s departure would make my week— no, month!

Takaichi vows to quit as lawmaker if document on broadcasters proven real

That IS IT it and no more, no less. SHE VOWED as such. 　She made correct and perfect response.

What’s all this fuss from usual posters from mysterious backgrounds?

@kurisupisu

I understand exactly what you are saying but it is the same everywhere. Not sure if you have ever watched American TV but it is wall to wall "reality TV" with such mind expanding shows like "Doctor Pimple Popper" and "My 500 Pound Life" and the highest form of intellectual debate is "The View."

And the editing is the same; with the same background music to create tension before they are about to announce the winner of "MILF Island" as soon as they cut for a commercial.

It's probably real. Everyone knows what the Abe Administration did, and she was at the forefront of that mess.