From the Editor
Justin McCurry
There was never any doubt about which story should go on the cover of this month’s Number 1 Shimbun. Mention the name Mohammed Hanif to any FCCJ member and they will break into a smile as they reflect on his warmth and numerous acts of kindness, not to mention the professionalism that defined his 47 years as a much-loved member of staff. John Harris speaks for us all in his fond farewell to an FCCJ treasure. Hanif-san, we wish you all the very best. Elsewhere in this issue, David McNeill interviews the editor of Made in China Journal about how journalists are rising to the challenge posed by Xi Jinping’s propaganda machine, while Ilgin Yorulmaz reports on a recent press freedom event organised by the Columbia Journalism School. Stephen Mansfield celebrates the cultural oasis that is Infinity Books, and Mark Schreiber completes his reminiscences of the 1970 Expo in Osaka. In their regular columns, Eric Johnston has mixed feelings about the current Expo’s showcasing of Ainu culture, while Philip Brasor laments the closure of many of Japan’s concert venues. It is with a mixture of sadness and fondness that we publish an extract from a book about Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s eventful 1956 honeymoon in Japan that Mary Corbett was writing when she died late last year. Plus events and press conferences, the latest in Suvendrini Kakuchi's series of interviews with associate members, and another instalment of Lens On Japan.
Cover illustration by Julio Shiiki
The Number 1 Shimbun
June 2025
Publisher FCCJ
Editor Justin McCurry
Designer Julio Kohji Shiiki, www.sedo.co.jp
Website Paul Braganza
Editorial Assistant Naomichi Iwamura
Photo coordination Hiroko Moriwaki
Publications Committee
Justin McCurry (Chair), Suvendrini Kakuchi, David McNeill, Andy Sharp
FCCJ Board of Directors
President Dan Sloan
1st Vice President Khaldon Azhari
2nd Vice President Randy Schmidt
Treasurer Anthony Rowley
Secretary David M. Umeda
Directors-at-Large
Shuri Fukunaga, Suvendrini Kakuchi, Dave McCombs, Taeko Nagayama
Kanji Martin Fackler, Knopf Doubleday Publishing & Simon Farrell, Custom Media K.K.
FCCJ Committee & Ad-hoc Committee Chairs
Publications Justin McCurry
Associate Members’ Liaison Simon Farrell & David Umeda
Entertainment Jake Adelstein & Simon Farrell
Exhibitions Peter Lyon
Film Karen Severns
Finance Anthony Rowley
Food & Beverage Shuri Fukunaga & Michiyo Nakamoto
Freedom of Press David McNeill
House & Property Khaldon Azhari
Human Resources Randy Schmidt
Information Technology Hinza Asif & Yusuke Wada
Library, Archives & Workroom Suvendrini Kakuchi & Robert Whiting
Membership Randy Schmidt
Professional Activities Tetsuo Jimbo & Martin Koelling
DeRoy Memorial Scholarship Martin Fackler
Compliance Kunio Hamada & Yoshisuke Iinuma
Election Yoshisuke Iinuma
Deep Dive Anthony Rowley
Membership Marketing Gary Bremermann
Sports Akihiko Tanabe
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan
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Marunouchi 3-2-3 Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-0005
Tel: (03) 3211-3161・fccj.or.jp
Published by the FCCJ All opinions contained within the Number 1 Shimbun are those of the authors. As such, these opinions do not constitute an official position of Number 1 Shimbun, the editor or the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.