Key Facts
• August 1: Party leader Kamiyama addressed questions at a press conference.
• August 6: Party emailed journalists requiring pre-registration for press events.
• July 22: Kanagawa Shimbun reporter excluded from a press conference.
• Media unions condemned the registration system as an attack on press freedom.
• Registration requires agreement to vague terms on “disruptive or nuisance behavior.”
• Media unions criticized the party for undermining freedom of expression.
• TBS program criticized by the party for alleged lack of neutrality.
• Media unions urged all outlets to advocate for press freedom and accountability.
Summary
A far-right political party in Japan has implemented a registration system for press events, allowing the exclusion of journalists under unclear conditions. Media unions, including the Japan Mass Media Culture Information Workers’ Union Conference, have issued a statement condemning this as an attack on press freedom and a violation of the public’s right to know. The unions highlighted the exclusion of a Kanagawa Shimbun reporter and criticized the party’s actions as an attempt to stifle media scrutiny. They also addressed the party’s complaints against TBS for alleged bias, emphasizing the importance of objective journalism. The unions called on all media outlets to advocate for freedom of expression and hold the party accountable.
