Controversial 'Lower Approval Rating' Remark Before Sanae Takaichi's Press Conference Sparks Criticism of Media Bias

On October 7, 2025, an astonishing remark was captured in live broadcast audio at a press gathering just before the press conference of newly appointed President Sanae Takaichi, quickly spreading across social media. As preparations for the conference proceeded, voices from the press seats were heard saying, "I'll lower your approval rating," and "I'll only release photos that lower your approval rating." This remark has sparked intense criticism and distrust towards the mass media's reporting stance, causing a significant stir.

Exposure of "Impression Manipulation" Suspicion, Growing Doubts on Journalistic Ethics

The revelation of this remark led to an outpouring of criticism from numerous internet users, with comments such as "This is the very scene of biased reporting" and "Media neutrality is now an obsolete term." Since the content of the remark clearly indicates an intention to "lower approval ratings," suspicions have arisen that deliberate "impression manipulation" might be targeting specific politicians. Calls to identify the speaker are growing louder, with speculation swirling that it could be a reporter, a photographer, or another specific media professional.

NTV Allegedly Deletes Segment, Raising Questions on Information Disclosure Stance

Furthermore, some SNS users pointed out that the audio portion containing "I'll lower your approval rating" and "I'll only release photos that lower your approval rating" was later removed from a NTV NEWS live stream video. This has raised questions about the media's commitment to information disclosure. As the trustworthiness of the mass media falters, there have been successive calls for strict action against the speaker and a review of broadcasting laws, with harsh comments such as "When did the media become kingmakers?" being heard.

End of "Old Media" Era? Social Media Leads Public Opinion Formation

Represented by opinions such as, "No matter how much the 'mass trash' tries to lower her approval rating, Ms. Takaichi won the party member vote. The era where the 'mass trash' can incite public opinion is nearing its end. Don't be so arrogant forever! SNS won!" this incident once again highlighted the declining influence of traditional "old media" and the rise of public opinion formation through social media. In an age where information is instantly disseminated and verified, mass media is increasingly required to uphold greater transparency and fairness.

The context

Sanae Takaichi is a prominent conservative politician in Japan, known for her strong policy stances and frequent involvement in leadership contests within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Her approval ratings are often a subject of media discussion in Japan. The incident described in the article, set on October 7, 2025, involves an alleged remark made by a media professional expressing an intent to deliberately lower her approval rating through selective reporting or photography. This sparked outrage, with critics pointing to it as evidence of media bias and "impression manipulation." The term "マスゴミ" (masugomi), a derogatory portmanteau of "mass communication" (マスコミ, masukomi) and "trash" (ゴミ, gomi), is commonly used by some Japanese internet users to criticize what they perceive as biased or low-quality mainstream media reporting. The article highlights a broader societal shift in Japan, where the influence of traditional "old media" is perceived to be declining, while social media plays an increasingly significant role in shaping public opinion and scrutinizing news coverage.