Latest news with #NipponTelevisionNetworkCorp
Asahi Shimbun
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Sanseito hopeful supports Japan entering nuclear arms race
An Upper House election candidate from the rising opposition party Sanseito is championing a nuclear-armed Japan, a provocative idea generally endorsed by the party leader. Saya, who is running in the Tokyo constituency on the July 20 ballot, was asked about nuclear armament and the Japan-U.S. alliance on an online program Nippon Television Network Corp. distributed on July 3. 'By acquiring nuclear weapons, even North Korea has become able to talk with U.S. President Donald Trump in the international community,' said Saya, who goes by only one name. 'Nuclear armament is one of the most inexpensive and effective measures to ensure safety,' she said after noting that it is her personal view. Speaking to reporters in Kobe on July 17, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya said Japan should consider arming itself with nuclear weapons. 'I do not think we should immediately possess them,' he said. '(But) we must not shy away from a discussion.' Japan must first withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty should it decide to go nuclear. Saya has come under fire on social media not only for her remarks on nuclear armament but also for her pro-conscription comments made in 2023. 'In military service, the educational role played by conscription and what cannot be learned in school education can be taught and experienced,' she said on a YouTube program. Still, she expressed a negative view of immediately restoring the draft. Kamiya asked reporters on July 17 why they questioned the comments on conscription that Saya made before joining Sanseito. The Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik posted a video interview with Saya on social media on July 14. Kamiya demanded a party staff member resign for arbitrarily giving permission for the interview. Sanseito also apologized for Saya's 'inappropriate' action on the social media account X on July 12 after she replied to and thanked a poster who apparently called on others to vote for her and her party in exchange for food and drink. The Public Offices Election Law prohibits provision of food and drink to voters in election campaigns, in principle.
Asahi Shimbun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Trailblazing news anchor challenges gender binary
Stylish and self-assured, Takahiro Nogawa is making history as one of Japan's first openly gender-nonconforming news anchors to appear on national television. This spring, Nogawa, 31, left a local station in Fukushima Prefecture after eight years to begin appearing on the flagship news program at the Tokyo-based Nippon Television Network Corp. 'In my next life, I want to be a female news presenter,' Nogawa wrote on social media. 'For now, I'm a male one.' Known for a love of beauty and fashion, Nogawa frequently posts about makeup and skincare online. As a child, Nogawa felt most at home among female classmates, preferring Pretty Cure over Ultraman. Although rarely facing bullying, in high school Nogawa was deeply affected by a tragic news story about a gay teen in the United States who took his own life. 'I realized I was just lucky to have supportive friends,' Nogawa said. Motivated by a desire to live openly and help others do the same, Nogawa pursued a career in broadcasting. Over time, Nogawa began challenging gender expectations more openly by wearing women's clothing during on-location shoots, and gradually using more intense makeup. Nogawa's subsequent appearances on national TV talk shows and beauty magazines drew attention and helped reshape perceptions of gender expression in Japanese media. Although Nogawa's presentation challenges gender norms, the broadcaster has chosen not to put a specific label on gender identity. 'There should be room for people who choose not to name it,' Nogawa said, suggesting that coming out should be a personal choice—not an obligation. When appearing in the news studio, Nogawa now opts for a toned-down look: a tailored jacket and subtle makeup. Nogawa's goal is to keep the audience focused on the news—not on appearances. But just being present on screen sends a powerful message. 'Television reflects everyday life,' Nogawa said. 'I hope that one day, someone like me can simply be part of everyday life without it feeling unusual.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Pop Group TOKIO Disbands After Problematic Acts by Kokubun on Popular Nippon Television Show ‘The Tetsuwan Dash'
The all-male pop group TOKIO said Wednesday it was disbanding, announcing the decision on the website of its management company of the same name. Band member Taichi Kokubun had been suspended indefinitely from TOKIO on Friday, after being removed from 'The Tetsuwan Dash,' a popular variety show on Nippon Television Network Corp. Kokuban was found to have committed compliance violations. 'We confirmed with each other that, given our current situation, it would be difficult to continue TOKIO and gain support and trust again. So we decided to bring our activities to an end,' the band stated in the announcement. TOKIO made its debut in 1994.
The Mainichi
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Japan minister to seek Nippon TV report after TOKIO member Kokubun's removal from show
TOKYO -- Japan's communications ministry will request a detailed report from Nippon Television Network Corp. (Nippon TV) after Taichi Kokubun, 50, a member of the popular idol group TOKIO, indefinitely suspended his activities and the network removed him from its programs due to unspecified "past conduct." The ministry's move was announced by its minister Seiichiro Murakami at a post-Cabinet meeting news conference on June 24. "We would like to hear extensively from Nippon TV about how it sees the issue and how it will respond as a company in the future," Murakami said. On June 20, Nippon TV announced that Kokubun would leave the network's popular variety program "The Tetsuwan Dash" after confirming multiple instances of past misconduct. At that press conference, Nippon TV President Hiroyuki Fukuda repeatedly cited "privacy protection considerations" in declining to disclose any details including the specific number or nature of the violations, or whether there were any victims involved. According to Murakami, on June 20, the ministry received a preliminary report from Nippon TV about Kokubun's misconduct and the company's subsequent decision to remove him from the program. The broadcaster informed the ministry it would refrain from explaining specifics due to privacy-related considerations. Following a recent series of problems at Fuji Television Network Inc., the communications ministry has set up a panel to discuss strengthened governance for private broadcasters, with its first meeting scheduled for June 27. Murakami refrained from commenting on whether the Nippon TV case would be placed on the panel's agenda, saying only that a decision would be made "appropriately at a later stage."
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
Japanese Pop Star Kokubun Halts Activities
Tokyo, June 20 (Jiji Press)--Taichi Kokubun, a member of Japanese male pop group Tokio, will halt his entertainment activities indefinitely, effective Friday, his management agency said. The agency said that it has found a compliance violation by the 50-year-old, but did not disclose details. Earlier Friday, Nippon Television Network Corp. said that it would remove Kokubun from its popular variety show "The Tetsuwan Dash." He makes regular appearances on five other programs on television and radio. The broadcaster said that it decided to take the celebrity off the show based on the results of an investigation conducted by external lawyers over the compliance issue, after it was informed of the matter on May 27. Hiroyuki Fukuda, president and chief operating officer at Nippon TV, told a press conference that multiple people were involved in the compliance issue, and expressed great disappointment. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
