[ad_1]
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disputed a Time magazine headline used in an exclusive interview with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, published days before the G7 Hiroshima summit. The Time newspaper headline misleadingly suggests that Japan is on the verge of becoming a military superpower or a major military power.
Rather, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Japan is increasing its defense budget to strengthen deterrence. China does so with the military expansionism and hegemonism of other countries in mind, as well as China’s military expansionism and hegemonism. So the US news magazine headlines don’t quite capture that intent.
Some observers believe Time magazine is trying to stigmatize Japan on the eve of the G7 summit. Prime Minister Kishida will host the meeting as Japan assumes the G7 presidency in 2023.
But how should this media pandemonium really be measured?
TIME HEADING CHANGE TIMELINE
The original Time headline read, “Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to abandon decades of pacifism and make his country a true military powerhouse.”
This headline was used in the electronic version of TIME up to May 10, but the headline “Japan’s Choice” was added in the May 12 edition of the interview with Mr. Kishida. Under new subtext.
Article content
The article itself says Kishida, despite his “dovish nature,” has set out to “turn the world’s third-largest economy back into a world power with a military presence to match.”
He also showed his determination to stand up to China, Russia and North Korea, the authors claim.
In an interview, Prime Minister Kishida also talked about his childhood experience of learning about the atomic bombing of his hometown. He recounts his grandmother’s story and what he’s heard about the indescribable devastation the atomic bomb caused. He added, “This childhood experience was a big driving force in my pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons.”
The article suggests that this core belief of the Prime Minister may be contradicted by his stance on increasing defense spending.
headline mismatch
After the original article was published, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs challenged The Times, saying the headline was significantly different from the content of the article. Then, on the afternoon of May 11, the headline of the electronic version of the Kishida article was changed. Now, it says, “Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is giving Japan, once a pacifist, a more active role on the world stage.”
How should we evaluate TIME’s commentary and MOFA’s response to it?
Yoichi Shimada, professor emeritus at Fukui Prefectural University, is an expert on American affairs. he says:
I get the impression that the commentary itself is not extremely biased. In this case, the expression “military power” includes the nuance of “military power” that strengthens defense power to protect the country.It is different from the “military power” tag used for criticism China, Russia and so on.
Rather, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned that national defense capabilities will be viewed negatively. On the other hand, sticking to Article 9 (of the Japanese Constitution) and making too much of a fuss could lead to the misunderstanding that Japan has a guilty conscience.
Most US media outlets allow interviews with heads of state to be verified with the parties before they are published. However, headlines are not provided for review, as headlines are determined just prior to publication.
Mr. Shimada concludes, “It is important for the Japanese government not to panic and to maintain a dignified stance.”
Related:
(read article in Japanese. )
Author: Evening Fuji
Evening Fuji is print and web media of Sankei Shimbun.
[ad_2]
Source link
