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#media-criticism

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Jul 19, 2026

Japan's Chilly View of China and North Korea

A poll put Japanese favorability toward China at a record-low 12%, while a report on North Korea's 'paradise on earth' repatriation project resurfaced its grim reality. Both stories exposed deep distrust of East Asia's authoritarian states—and sharp anger at the media that once promoted them.

A 4-0 World Cup Win, Orderly Shibuya Crowds, and Outrage Over Blurred Rising Sun Flags

Sports

Jun 23, 2026

A 4-0 World Cup Win, Orderly Shibuya Crowds, and Outrage Over Blurred Rising Sun Flags

Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 and Shibuya's crossing filled with fans yet saw no looting or vandalism, drawing astonished praise from French and other overseas observers. Pride in that order mixed with self-criticism of the noisy crowd, but the bigger flashpoint was Japanese broadcasters mosaicking a Rising Sun flag in the footage, read as excessive deference and fueling distrust of legacy media.

Japan's 4-0 World Cup Rout of Tunisia and the Reactions From Its Neighbors

Sports

Jun 22, 2026

Japan's 4-0 World Cup Rout of Tunisia and the Reactions From Its Neighbors

Japan crushed Tunisia 4-0 in the World Cup group stage, but Japanese netizens cared less about the win than about how the neighbors reacted: Korean media calling a Rising Sun flag 'shameful,' TBS blurring the flag on air, China's state broadcaster overtly favoring Tunisia, and Brazilians dubbing Japan a 'final boss.'

Backlash After Mainichi Says Muslim Burial 'Doesn't Violate Japanese Culture'

Society

Jun 22, 2026

Backlash After Mainichi Says Muslim Burial 'Doesn't Violate Japanese Culture'

The Mainichi Shimbun argued that Muslim burial 'does not violate' the culture of a Japan where cremation is 99.9%. With burial-ground plans drawing local opposition, netizens overwhelmingly rejected the framing, citing hygiene risks, the 'when in Rome' norm, and what they called the paper's double standard on residents' voices.

Naphtha Shock Hits Natto, Diapers, and Toilet Paper as Government Says 'We Have Enough'

Economy

May 16, 2026

Naphtha Shock Hits Natto, Diapers, and Toilet Paper as Government Says 'We Have Enough'

Okame Natto, Kao's Attack detergent, Unicharm and Daio Paper diapers, plus toilet paper all announced summer-2026 price increases tied to naphtha-driven raw-material costs. Combined with TV Asahi reportedly airing a 'black-and-white' naphtha-shock segment, the public mood swung hard against the government's 'we have enough' messaging, with users calling it a permanent excuse to push prices up.