Martin Fackler
@martinfackler.bsky.social
Reporter & Editor @ New York Times
Author of forthcoming book on the Fukushima nuclear disaster
Author of forthcoming book on the Fukushima nuclear disaster
The story does seem to position Takaichi as a Trump-like figure battling arrogant media elites. With the Diet vote coming up to choose the next prime minister, maybe someone wants to help her steal some of the Sanseito's populist rightwing thunder?
October 9, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The story does seem to position Takaichi as a Trump-like figure battling arrogant media elites. With the Diet vote coming up to choose the next prime minister, maybe someone wants to help her steal some of the Sanseito's populist rightwing thunder?
Most countries on the BBC list aren't top-tier travel destinations, which suggests overtourism may be another turn-off.
September 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Most countries on the BBC list aren't top-tier travel destinations, which suggests overtourism may be another turn-off.
Rising costs may be another; Tokyo isn't the bargain it used to be, and a recovery by the yen could make it overly expensive again (as it was not too long ago). Real estate prices in particular are up, which local media blame on investment by rich Chinese seeking to park wealth offshore.
September 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Rising costs may be another; Tokyo isn't the bargain it used to be, and a recovery by the yen could make it overly expensive again (as it was not too long ago). Real estate prices in particular are up, which local media blame on investment by rich Chinese seeking to park wealth offshore.
In fact, when Abe visited Trump Tower in late 2016, in addition to presenting a gold-plated golf club, he is said to have impressed Trump by asking: I defeated the Asahi, when will you do the same to the NY Times?
It took Trump eight years to try.
It took Trump eight years to try.
September 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
In fact, when Abe visited Trump Tower in late 2016, in addition to presenting a gold-plated golf club, he is said to have impressed Trump by asking: I defeated the Asahi, when will you do the same to the NY Times?
It took Trump eight years to try.
It took Trump eight years to try.
The lawsuit against the NY Times takes another page from Abe's media playbook. In 2014, the Asahi Shimbun, Japan's liberal daily, capitulated to pressure by disbanding an investigative news department and retracting a scoop. Trump seeks to tame the NYT in more American fashion by filing a lawsuit.
September 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The lawsuit against the NY Times takes another page from Abe's media playbook. In 2014, the Asahi Shimbun, Japan's liberal daily, capitulated to pressure by disbanding an investigative news department and retracting a scoop. Trump seeks to tame the NYT in more American fashion by filing a lawsuit.
A key part of the pressure campaign was threats by Takaichi Sanae (currently candidate for prime minister) to revoke broadcasting licenses of networks seen as biased against Abe. Now, Trump is doing similar, intimdating networks with threats to revoke FCC licenses: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09....
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Says Broadcasters Risk Losing Licenses When Hosts Criticize Him
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
A key part of the pressure campaign was threats by Takaichi Sanae (currently candidate for prime minister) to revoke broadcasting licenses of networks seen as biased against Abe. Now, Trump is doing similar, intimdating networks with threats to revoke FCC licenses: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09....
In 2014 and 2015, Abe and his backers successfully brought Japan's major media to heel, pushing back against critical coverage. A watershed moment came when major TV networks removed newscasters and commentators. Here's a story that I wrote at the time: www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/w....
Effort by Japan to Stifle News Media Is Working (Published 2015)
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
In 2014 and 2015, Abe and his backers successfully brought Japan's major media to heel, pushing back against critical coverage. A watershed moment came when major TV networks removed newscasters and commentators. Here's a story that I wrote at the time: www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/w....
The stories often involve supernatural visitations, including the play we saw, called Tamakazura, about a beautiful woman who returns as a tormented ghost.
September 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
The stories often involve supernatural visitations, including the play we saw, called Tamakazura, about a beautiful woman who returns as a tormented ghost.
I mentioned the three prefecture study in the article. They tested 4,500 people and found one positive, at which point they quit. The result was statistically meaningless.
September 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I mentioned the three prefecture study in the article. They tested 4,500 people and found one positive, at which point they quit. The result was statistically meaningless.