Key Facts
• On July 22, a press conference was held in the National Diet.
• The political party denied entry to a reporter from Kanagawa Shimbun.
• On July 24, the party explained the decision on its official website.
• The party accused the reporter of involvement in disruptive activities during street speeches.
• The party claimed the reporter acted with a group critical of the party.
• Kanagawa Shimbun protested, calling the exclusion a violation of the public’s right to know.
• The party stated the press conference was fully available on YouTube.
• The party denied targeting specific reporters or media outlets.
• Party leader Sohei Kamiya urged media to adhere to journalistic ethics.
• The party emphasized its commitment to free speech and orderly information sharing.
Summary
A political party in Japan defended its decision to deny a Kanagawa Shimbun reporter entry to a July 22 press conference, citing the reporter’s alleged involvement in disruptive activities during street speeches. The party stated that the reporter acted alongside a group critical of the party and emphasized the need to prevent potential disruptions. Kanagawa Shimbun protested, arguing the exclusion undermined the public’s right to know. The party countered by highlighting that the press conference was fully accessible on YouTube and denied targeting specific media outlets. Party leader Sohei Kamiya called for adherence to journalistic ethics and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to free speech and orderly communication.
