Government Censorship and the Influence of Pop Culture in Japan

With a Focus on the Works by Hayao Miyazaki

Kalina Kwong, Stacy Tapia, Samit Khatri, Ankur Kansai

Introduction We began the project under the belief that Japanese mainstream media such as news stations and newspapers tend to lean more conservatively and are backed to an certain extent by the investments of the government. Due to this involvement of the government, we believe that a large degree of censorship occurs in mainstream media. To combat this censorship, pop culture and artists developed ways to educate the public in a more subtle fashion.

1. Proof of Censorship of Main Stream Media

Broadcast companies and news stations require licenses from the Japanese government o While licensing is rare in America (only appearing in local levels), a majority of countries in Asia, Africa and Europe do require licensing* o Government influence therefore is not unheard of by any means in regards to mainstream media Real issues occur with potential states of panic due to disasters or breaking news of any type o Out of fear of losing licenses, which can occur if stations overly criticize or enter bad standing with the Japanese government, most stations tend to lean conservatively. Conservatively often includes being pro nuclear o Sources of news also rely to a certain extent on the government for information on events, i.e. Fukushima Lack of communication from the Japanese government can unintentionally restrict the ability of news sources to produce news

*"License Fee". Encyclopedia of Television (1st Edition).Chicago: Museum of Broadcast Communications. 1997. Retrieved 21 November 2006.

2. Government Censorship - Press Groups

Freedom of the press does exist in Japan, but there is more self-censorship with Japanese news organizations than their overseas counterparts Due to kisha kurabu (press clubs), which are attached to an array of government ministries, political parties and business groups o The only way for newspapers, wire services and broadcasting companies to gather news is to be a member of these clubs Since these club monopolize information sources, reporters are pressured into dispatching news that show these institutions in a positive light. Otherwise they risk having their press club memberships revoked if they write negative stories Allows for close relationships between press clubs and institutions they are suppose to be scrutinizing o Ex. Not a single reporter questioned TEPCO about radiation leaks until almost two weeks after the accident

3. Case Study: Fukushima and the Media

The official report of The Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission: Executive summary o The government, the regulators, TEPCO management, and the Kantei lacked the preparation and the mindset to efficiently operate an emergency response to an accident of this scope. None, therefore, were effective in preventing or limiting the consequential damage. Could have utilized forms of media to address public, but too concerned with trying to cover up the accident or at least mitigate the long-term effects such an accident has on nuclear debates Japanese government asserts that levels of radiation are safe even though it is known that prolonged exposure to moderate levels of radiation lead to higher chances of cancer and birth defects. o Radiation levels in produce and meats questionably safe as well The Atomic Circle refers to a tightly closed relationship between Politics = Government = Academy = Industry = Media in the making of nuclear policy o Directly contributed to the scope and decimation caused in accidents such as Fukushima

4. What Does This Mean for Media?

Cant rely on forms of mainstream media for unbiased, undistorted truth How about pop culture and artists? o Many known environmental activists popular in Japan ! i.e. violinists, filmmakers, actors, artists

5. Pop Culture as a Power

Japanese media such as anime, manga, and performing artists have immense national popularity (not to mention international popularity as well o People of all ages the world over take joy in watching Hayao Miyazaki films for entertainment This alone makes Japanese pop culture a powerful way to spread knowledge Japanese popular culture has garnered sufficient following for the conclusion to be drawn that the cultural product is attractive to audiences. This is shown by two factors: the rise in otaku fan culture and the masscommercialisation of anime and manga. The otaku sub-culture grew as fans expressed their appeal for anime.

6. Hayao Miyazaki
A Japanese film director, animator, manga artist, producer, and screenwriter Miyazaki's films often contain recurrent themes like humanity's relationship with nature and technology Miyazaki is critical of capitalism, globalization and their impacts on modern life "Actually, I have been opposed to nuclear power for about 40 years. And in those 40 years that I've been opposed to nuclear power, those who are for it have really become a huge power. They have actually monopolized much of the thinking and it is really for their own profit and that of officials and businesses." Miyazaki

7. Movies and Relevant Themes A) Princess Mononoke

A banished young prince and a wolf princess attempt to save the balance of nature. o Fragility of humanity themes of the quickness of death and destruction o The destructive impact of industrialization. ! The main clash of the movie occurs between the consuming humans of Iron Town and a forest that is quickly being over used and destroyed by human pollution. Nature rises against the guns and explosives of Iron Town. Iron from bullets and explosives poisons the forest gods turning them into demons. o Not so bubtle symbolism referring to human greed for godly power (beheading the forest god)

B) Nausica of the Valley of the Wind The past pollution of the world sends humanity into a race fighting for survival. Outbreak of Minamata disease pushed the production of the film. o (People dying as a result of poisoned fish and water) War and environmental issues abound. o (Toxic spores, extremely acidic lakes, nature as a natural purifier of the poisons) 8. Future Direction/Research Create a board of a mixture of political and public representatives from various prefectures to conduct a survey Reduction of Kisha Clubs power over News Media groups Conclusion The success of Miyazaki and others like him is not independent from the actions of the government and mainstream media, but is collaborative. Pop culture and its artist are not efficient for IMMEDIATE disasters, but can spread knowledge about the truth of disasters. However, for mainstream media sources to be effective (because in cases such as Fukushima they are not), they must rid themselves of their fears of the government and regulate the amount of influence governments and corporations have.