Public officials and private citizens are criticizing an NHK documentary about Japan's rule of Taiwan, calling the program one-sided and misleading.
"Ajia no 'Itto-koku'"--meaning "Asia's 'first-class nation'"--aired April 5 as the first episode of a new documentary series titled "Japan Debut." It focused on Japan's rule of Taiwan, its first colony, from the late 19th century through the end of World War II.
The program's content was compiled from the testimony of people familiar with the period and information gleaned from various documents, including those compiled by the then Government-General of Formosa.
However, the Friends of Lee Teng-hui Association in Japan--a Tokyo-based Japan-Taiwan friendship organization--submitted a letter of protest to NHK dated April 9 in which they claimed that the show's producers manipulated Taiwanese people's comments to suit their own agenda for the program.
"[The program] was produced from a historical perspective under which Japan unilaterally oppressed the Taiwanese," the letter said.
The association is demanding that NHK revise the program and air a special show to apologize. NHK has given no indication that it will do so, however, insisting that the program did not contradict the facts.
"We stand by our previous assertion that the content of the program is not lopsided," NHK President Shigeo Fukuchi said during a regular press conference Thursday.
Beginning May 16, members of local government assemblies and other people have organized protest rallies in Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. About 1,100 people participated in a Tokyo rally Saturday, during which some protesters were stopped by police after they entered NHK premises in Shibuya Ward.
A group of lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party, led by former Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama, has also sent questions regarding the program to NHK in writing.
"It is not possible to give equal coverage to every facet [of an issue] in just one program," said Hidemi Hyuga , executive director general of NHK's General Broadcasting Administration. "That also would not give a clear representation of the overall picture [of the issue]."
"[Protesters] should judge whether multilateral views are being represented by examining all the programs we broadcast, not by focusing on a single episode," Hyuga said.
Tokyo University of Technology Prof. Hiroyoshi Usui weighed in on the opposite side, saying the program made him uncomfortable because it did not show the positive elements of Japanese rule.
"It may give viewers the impression that anti-Japan sentiment remains strong in Taiwan," said Usui, a specialist in media studies. "[The producers'] lack of consideration in this area has given politicians an opening to become involved, which is regrettable."
Even some members of the Board of Governors, NHK's supreme decision-making body, have expressed concern, saying NHK "should deal with the issue sincerely as its accountability as a broadcaster is being questioned."
""It may give viewers the impression that anti-Japan sentiment remains strong in Taiwan," said Usui, a specialist in media studies. "[The producers'] lack of consideration in this area has given politicians an opening to become involved, which is regrettable."
Even some members of the Board of Governors, NHK's supreme decision-making body, have expressed concern, saying NHK "should deal with the issue sincerely as its accountability as a broadcaster is being questioned."
単なる偏向ではない、捏造し歪曲しているのだ。
その結果偏向してるということ。
mershury 2 years ago 6
Not quite sure what good is to come of recognising Taiwan independence when the population there revoked their Japanese citizenship decades ago.
Is it acceptable for Taiwanese today to ask Japanese political support today at the expense of relations with Japan's #1 trade partner?
Get real.
seseljsrs 2 years ago
NHK program on Taiwan causes storm
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Public officials and private citizens are criticizing an NHK documentary about Japan's rule of Taiwan, calling the program one-sided and misleading.
"Ajia no 'Itto-koku'"--meaning "Asia's 'first-class nation'"--aired April 5 as the first episode of a new documentary series titled "Japan Debut." It focused on Japan's rule of Taiwan, its first colony, from the late 19th century through the end of World War II.
gwin7ok 2 years ago
The program's content was compiled from the testimony of people familiar with the period and information gleaned from various documents, including those compiled by the then Government-General of Formosa.
However, the Friends of Lee Teng-hui Association in Japan--a Tokyo-based Japan-Taiwan friendship organization--submitted a letter of protest to NHK dated April 9 in which they claimed that the show's producers manipulated Taiwanese people's comments to suit their own agenda for the program.
gwin7ok 2 years ago
"[The program] was produced from a historical perspective under which Japan unilaterally oppressed the Taiwanese," the letter said.
The association is demanding that NHK revise the program and air a special show to apologize. NHK has given no indication that it will do so, however, insisting that the program did not contradict the facts.
gwin7ok 2 years ago
"We stand by our previous assertion that the content of the program is not lopsided," NHK President Shigeo Fukuchi said during a regular press conference Thursday.
Beginning May 16, members of local government assemblies and other people have organized protest rallies in Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. About 1,100 people participated in a Tokyo rally Saturday, during which some protesters were stopped by police after they entered NHK premises in Shibuya Ward.
gwin7ok 2 years ago
A group of lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party, led by former Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama, has also sent questions regarding the program to NHK in writing.
"It is not possible to give equal coverage to every facet [of an issue] in just one program," said Hidemi Hyuga , executive director general of NHK's General Broadcasting Administration. "That also would not give a clear representation of the overall picture [of the issue]."
gwin7ok 2 years ago
"[Protesters] should judge whether multilateral views are being represented by examining all the programs we broadcast, not by focusing on a single episode," Hyuga said.
Tokyo University of Technology Prof. Hiroyoshi Usui weighed in on the opposite side, saying the program made him uncomfortable because it did not show the positive elements of Japanese rule.
gwin7ok 2 years ago
"It may give viewers the impression that anti-Japan sentiment remains strong in Taiwan," said Usui, a specialist in media studies. "[The producers'] lack of consideration in this area has given politicians an opening to become involved, which is regrettable."
Even some members of the Board of Governors, NHK's supreme decision-making body, have expressed concern, saying NHK "should deal with the issue sincerely as its accountability as a broadcaster is being questioned."
(Jun. 9, 2009)
gwin7ok 2 years ago
""It may give viewers the impression that anti-Japan sentiment remains strong in Taiwan," said Usui, a specialist in media studies. "[The producers'] lack of consideration in this area has given politicians an opening to become involved, which is regrettable."
Even some members of the Board of Governors, NHK's supreme decision-making body, have expressed concern, saying NHK "should deal with the issue sincerely as its accountability as a broadcaster is being questioned."
(Jun. 9, 2009)"
gwin7ok 2 years ago
Comment removed
gwin7ok 2 years ago