Japanese journalists barred from anti-nuclear protest coverage
Reporters Without Borders declares its support for a legal demand to a Tokyo court by three freelance Japanese journalists seeking access to an official press club building that would allow them to cover anti-nuclear demonstrations.
Japan releases Chinese journalists detained while covering a protest
Two Hong-Kong based Phoenix TV journalists were among a group of 14 arrested by Japanese authorities over a disputed territory in the East China Sea.
Nuclear industry entrepreneur seeks massive damages from freelancer
Freelance journalist Minoru Tanaka is being targeted for his article investigating collusion between the entrepreneur, politicians, nuclear plant construction companies and TEPCO, the company that owns the ill-fated Fukushima-Daiichi plant.
A year after Fukushima explosion, authorities urged to disclose detailed information about health, food safety
Many residents of Fukushima prefecture still lack basic information and clear answers about the level of radiation in their food and environment, Human Rights Watch said, releasing a slide show of individuals affected by the Fukushima nuclear plant explosion in advance of the one-year anniversary on 11 March.
Human Rights Watch urges Japan to press Burma’s foreign minister on human rights issues
Japanese officials were urged to press Burma to release all political prisoners and abolish laws used to repress the rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly.
High court dismisses music company’s lawsuit against freelance journalist
RSF is relieved to learn that a defamation action against freelance journalist Hiro Ugaya was finally dismissed on 3 August 2009.
Two journalists reporting on warship fire go missing following helicopter crash
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 16 July 2008 IFJ media release: Two Journalists Missing From Helicopter Crash in Japan The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is saddened to report that extensive searches have not located two Japanese journalists travelling on a helicopter that crashed in the Tsugaru channel in Aomori on July 6. Asahi […]
Two environmentalists arrested for exposing alleged embezzlement in government-sponsored whaling programme
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: Japan: ARTICLE 19 Calls for Release of Environmentalists ARTICLE 19 condemns the arrest and prolonged detention without charge and without bail of two Greenpeace campaigners who exposed alleged embezzlement in the Japanese government-sponsored whaling programme in the Southern Ocean. “The disproportionate actions of the […]
Annual Report 2008: Japan
Annual Report 2008: Japan
Freedom of the Press 2007: Japan
Freedom of the Press 2007: Japan
Ruling politicians pressured public television to censor programme on wartime sex slavery, court finds
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 14 February 2007 IFJ media release: High Court rules on editorial interference in Japan The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Japanese government to refrain from editorial interference, after last month’s ruling from Tokyo’s High Court that Japan’s public broadcaster, Nihon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), bowed to […]
Alarm at fire-bomb attack against financial paper
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders strongly condemned a fire-bomb attack against the offices of the financial newspaper “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” (“Nikkei”) in Tokyo overnight on 20-21 July 2006, causing minor damage but no injuries. No arrests have been made but the attack bears all the hallmarks of the extreme right-wing fringe groups (Uyoku). The bombing […]
High Court reaffirms journalists’ rights to protect sources
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: High Court reaffirms Japanese journalists’ rights to protect sources The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed the June 13 ruling by the Tokyo High Court reaffirming journalists’ right to protect their sources. The Tokyo High Court, in the second decision of its kind, ruled that […]
High Court decision protects journalists’ right to keep sources confidential
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: High Court decision protects journalists’ right to keep sources confidential in Japan The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has hailed last week’s decision by the Tokyo High Court as a landmark in protecting media freedom in Japan. On March 17, the Tokyo High Court overruled an […]
CPJ conducting investigation to determine if journalist was killed for his work
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 17 September 2003 CPJ press release: JAPAN: Freelance journalist murdered New York, September 17, 2003-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned by the recent murder of Japanese freelance journalist Satoru Someya and is conducting an investigation to determine if he was killed for his work. On September […]
Freelance journalist murdered in Tokyo
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed its shock over the murder of Japanese freelance journalist Satoru Someya, whose body was found in Tokyo Bay on 12 September 2003. He was apparently the victim of gangsters he had been investigating. The organisation called on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to see to it that every effort is […]