
From the Editor
Justin McCurry
Happy New Year! I’d like to start the Year of the Snake with a request. The Number 1 Shimbun is far more than the monthly magazine of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. Over several decades and multiple editors, in paper form and as an exclusively online publication, it has been a valuable forum for writers, experienced and otherwise, to share their articles on topics they find interesting but which might not be quite right editorially for their regular outlets. The Number 1 Shimbun, though, has a simple brief: to carry writing that will appeal to anyone with an interest in Japan or journalism ... or both. And content needn’t be confined to those topics: we welcome pieces inspired by news throughout the region and beyond that has consequences for our work as media professionals, whether it be Chinese authorities’ crackdown on press freedoms in Hong Kong or, as in this month’s issue, the chilling – and thankfully short-lived – consequences for journalists of last month’s declaration of martial law in South Korea. Regular readers will know that the magazine has eclectic tastes: Mark Schreiber’s fascinating walks through Japanese history, Stephen Mansfield’s expert scrutiny of the art world, Philip Brasor’s detailed analysis of Japan’s media, and much more. And, of course, there is always room for reports on news and cultural events at the FCCJ. As we look forward to what should be an eventful 2025, I’d like to encourage as many readers as possible to write for the magazine, particularly those who have been reluctant to do so in the past, believing, perhaps, that the Shimbun operates as some kind of closed shop. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is your magazine and, as editor, nothing would please me more than to find pitches from new and existing contributors in the inbox of our resurrected email: no.1shimbun@fccj.or.jp Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Artwork by Julio Shiiki
The Number 1 Shimbun
January 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
Marunouchi Nijubashi Building 5F
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.