“We must stay calm and help the people”

Japanese journalists are working round the clock. The Day got proof of this when we contacted the staff of The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s most widely circulated newspaper. Asking their office to comment on the coverage of the latest events, we got a polite turndown. “We are working 24 hours a day, preparing morning and evening issues, plus Saturdays,” said a staff member, doubtful if they would be able to find the time to answer our questions. Besides, according to the journalists, they are barraged with letters from international media, asking for similar commentaries.

Nevertheless, our second go was successful. Calling the Japanese information agency Kyodo News at around 1 a.m. local time, The Day caught Yoichi Kosukegawa, the international department editor. Despite the late call, Kosukegawa not only listened to us, but also kindly agreed to answer a couple of questions via e-mail.

Under the current circumstances, apart from information, Japanese society needs moral support from journalists as well. What goals do Japanese journalists set for themselves in such challenging conditions?

“I think that, first and foremost, we must provide accurate information. I acknowledge the growing role of social networks, but sometimes they are a source of rumors or ungrounded information. Therefore, it is up to us to provide reliable information. At the same time, under such circumstances we must render support to the people in the areas devastated by the quake and tsunami. For example, we can inform about their needs, by asking them what they really lack at the moment.

“Huge numbers of people are still missing. I believe we can provide information to papers and television for those searching for news of their family. I am convinced we must – and can – cope with both tasks, to provide information and support at the same time, even under such circumstances.”

How is Japan dealing with the disaster morally?

“Despite the shortage of food and electricity, and the cold weather in the affected areas, people help one another. Besides, only a few cases of looting have been reported. I believe that the people in the affected areas will be able to bear the hardships without losing their morale. But we must provide them with the necessities, since the ruptured road networks and the nuclear crisis are hampering relief efforts.

“On the other hand, the people outside the affected areas are panic-stricken and anxious to get sufficient supplies of food, fuel, and other necessities. Consequently, we must remain calm and help the people in the affected areas get what they need as soon as possible.”

Do the Japanese media criticize the government’s actions, or is that seen as inopportune right now? Are there any taboos in covering the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami?

“The government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company, operator of nuclear power plants damaged in the quake and tsunami, were censured for delays in publishing the information on the situation at the plants. Not only did the nuclear crisis threaten the lives of the people in the affected areas, but it also caused great anxiety in other regions. We asked the government and the company to provide accurate information concerning the scale of the accident as far as this was possible, in particular, concerning the damage to the unit, radiation leakages, and the necessity of evacuation.

“The government and Tokyo Electric Power Co. also got a barrage of criticism for delaying information on power shut-offs meant to help deal with the shortage in power supplies resulting from the damage to the plants. The company started the local shut-offs in the morning of March 15, but the announcements were issued in the evening of March 14. This caused confusion among commuters who use suburban trains as many railroad operators stopped working due to the absence of power. But I don’t think that there are any taboos concerning the coverage of the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.”

Have there been appeals from spiritual leaders to society?

“Emperor Akihito appeared on television with an unprecedented video message. He heartened the Japanese nation, calling upon the people to rally, and expressed the belief that if they care for one another, the Japanese would be able to overcome all hardships.”