Friday, January 19, 2018, 15:00 - 16:00
Co-authors of "Tsuikyu-ryoku (The ability to pursue problems)"
Language:The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation
The most fundamental job of a reporter is to pursue truth, which governments or companies might not want the public to know, by asking the right questions to the right people.
But some might argue that this power of journalism might have been weakened, if not lost, especially when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet became a single dominant power with no viable opposition party to challenge. Media is said to have imposed so-called self-censorship.
Under such circumstances, it's ironic, however, that Isoko Mochizuki, a Tokyo Shimbun reporter, and Yuko Mori, an Upper House lawmaker of the opposition Liberal Party, attracted much public attention after just doing their jobs, persistently seeking answers from Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, about the so-called Moritomo and Kake school scandals.
Some criticized them for paying too much attention to such minor problems. And Mochizuki said that some reporters, who are member of the Kisha club or the press club at the prime minister's office, even expressed outright dissatisfaction with her attitude. But they never stopped pursuing scandals because they said they thought that these were the problems that would shake the very foundation of democracy. Partly by their efforts, the private school scandals have been brought to light and reported every day, even though Abe has never admitted any wrongdoing.
The two are co-publishing a book based titled "Tsuikyu-ryoku" or "The ability to pursue Problems.” The book mainly talks about what they say is the abuse of power by the Abe government and other issues such as the anti-conspiracy law, which Abe's government rammed through. They will come to the club to talk about the role of journalism and the opposition camp to hold the government accountable.
Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or on the website (still & TV cameras inclusive). Reservations and cancellations are not complete without confirmation.
Professional Activities Committee
Isoko Mochizuki Yuko Mori