From the Editor
Justin McCurry
It is a sad reflection of the growing dangers faced by our colleagues in war zones that this month’s cover story is the third in the space of a year on the deliberate targeting of reporters, most recently in southern Lebanon. The killing last month of Amal Khalil, a Lebanese newspaper journalist, shocked the world and has led to calls for better protection for reporters in conflict zones, and action against soldiers who have hitherto acted with impunity. The article, co-written with David McNeill, will be my last as editor of the Number 1 Shimbun. Since taking on the job of editing the FCCJ’s monthly magazine at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2021, I have overseen the publication of 62 issues, all bearing covers conjured up by our brilliant designer Julio Shiiki. Forgive me for indulging in a moment of temae miso, but the magazine is a must-read for anyone interested in journalism and the media, and the economy, culture, society and history of this incredible country we call home. David will edit the June and July issues while the FCCJ Board appoints a permanent replacement. Finally, a plea: no publication, least of all an in-house magazine, can survive without regular contributions. The generosity and dedication shown by our team of writers keep the Number 1 Shimbun going. But without more support from FCCJ members – many of whom are professional writers – the magazine will wither on the vine. And we will miss it when it’s gone. Do, please, consider contacting David and his successor with story ideas – your magazine needs you now more than ever.
Cover artwork by Julio Shiiki
The Number 1 Shimbun
May 2026
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 Randy Schmidt
2nd Vice President Aviraj Gokool
Treasurer Anthony Rowley
Secretary Kathleen Benoza
Directors-at-Large
Michael King, Taeko Nagayama, Michiyo Nakamoto, Masayuki Watanabe
Kanji Martin Fackler, Knopf Doubleday Publishing & Simon Farrell, Custom Media K.K.
Reserve Director
David Umeda
FCCJ Committee & Ad-hoc Committee Chairs
Publications (Number 1 Shimbun) Justin McCurry
Associate Members’ Liaison Simon Farrell & David Umeda
Entertainment Simon Farrell & Douglas Montgomery
Exhibition Peter Lyon
Film Karen Severns
Finance Anthony Rowley
Food & Beverage Shuri Fukunaga & Michiyo Nakamoto
Freedom of Press David McNeill & Ilgin Yorulmaz
House & Property Randy Schmidt
Human Resources Avi Gokool
Library, Archives & Workroom Suvendrini Kakuchi & Robert Whiting
Membership Randy Schmidt & Dan Sloan
Professional Activities Eric Johnston & Martin Fackler
DeRoy Memorial Scholarship Martin Fackler
Compliance Yoshisuke Iinuma & Masayuki Watanabe
Election (2025-2026) Yoshisuke Iinuma
Deep Dive Anthony Rowley
Information Technology (Web) TBD
Membership Marketing TBD
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.