National May 4, 2022
Reporters Without Borders pointed to "the growing control of large industrial groups, whose influence encourages the self-censorship of journalists and editorial staff" in Japan.
Asia Pacific / Politics Jun 19, 2020
China’s security law threatens Hong Kong journalists, says media watchdog
The new national security legislation China is imposing on Hong Kong could be used against journalists operating in Asia’s main financial hub, which maintains distinct freedoms from the mainland, a global media watchdog group said. Reporters Without Borders said Beijing’s move to bypass Hong Kong’s ...
World Jan 14, 2019
French media denounce violent 'yellow vest' attacks on press
French media and reporters' organizations on Sunday denounced attacks on journalists by "yellow vest" anti-government protesters and called for better protection after a series of incidents this weekend. Paris police fired water cannon and tear gas to push back demonstrators from around the Arc de ...
National Apr 25, 2018
Japan's press freedom ranking rises in 2018 — due in part to deteriorating conditions elsewhere
by Chisato Tanaka
The nation's press freedom ranking in 2018 slightly increased from the previous year, primarily the result of worsening conditions in other democracies, Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday. The international watchdog group, which measures the degree of freedom available to journalists in 180 countries, ranked Japan ...
Asia Pacific Jul 19, 2017
China 'murdered' Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo: Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres), which advocates freedom of information around the world, on Tuesday accused Chinese authorities of having "murdered" Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo by denying him proper medical care during his incarceration. "We can clearly state that Liu Xiaobo was ...
National Oct 24, 2016
Media watchdog slams Tokyo after journalist alleges U.S. military spying
by Ayako Mie
The government is under fire for failing to protect press freedom following a Japan Times report by a British journalist revealing that the U.S. military has spied on him over his activities in Okinawa.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Apr 23, 2016
Ebb tide for press freedoms in Shinzo Abe's Japan
by Jeff Kingston
A perfect storm is descending on freedom of the press in Japan: The country just sank to No. 72 in the global press freedom ranking issued Wednesday by Reporters Without Borders, down from No. 11 in 2010. And David Kaye, the U.N. special rapporteur ...
National Apr 21, 2016
Japan's government defends against multiple accusations of stifling press freedom
by Ayako Mie
The government is on the back foot in the wake of mounting global criticism to the effect that the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is threatening press freedom in Japan. Two global organizations this week said press freedom is in danger in Japan, citing ...
National Dec 24, 2015
Answers sought on Japanese reporter said held in Syria
by Magdalena Osumi
After Reporters Without Borders reveals another Japanese freelancer has been taken hostage in Syria, Tokyo again scrambles to react as fellow journalists criticize the disclosure.
National Dec 23, 2015
Press group urges Japan to work for release of journalist in Syria
The Japanese government is urged to work for the release of a journalist held hostage in Syria since July whose ransom countdown has begun.
National / Media | DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN Feb 28, 2015
The candy, the whip and freedom of press in Japan
by Jake Adelstein
We are familiar with the carrot-and-stick approach in the West, but the phrase in Japan is "ame to muchi" — literally, the candy and the whip. For journalists in Japan, there's been a lot of whip in recent times and not much candy. How can ...
National / Crime & Legal Sep 9, 2014
Press freedom group calls on Seoul to not prosecute Sankei reporter
The press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders on Monday called on the South Korean government to not prosecute the Seoul bureau chief of Japanese daily Sankei Shimbun who is suspected of defaming President Park Geun-hye. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office last month questioned Tatsuya ...