Statement 'I'll lower her approval rating' Leaks During Sanae Takaichi Interview, Raising Questions About Journalistic Ethics

A statement, 'I'll lower her approval rating,' leaked from a live stream during a waiting period for journalists to interview Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential candidate Sanae Takaichi, causing a significant stir on social media. This audio quickly spread, drawing strong criticism regarding the impartiality and ethics of news organizations.

The controversial remark was heard among journalists waiting for Ms. Takaichi's 'burasagari kaiken' (impromptu press scrum) and reached a wide audience through the live-streamed video. In addition to the blatant 'I'll lower her approval rating' comment, other audio snippets like 'It's about slush funds and Yasukuni, right?', 'Yasukuni cannot be compromised,' and 'Wearing earphones and getting instructions from Mr. Aso' also spread, fueling speculation about their intent and context.

On social media, strong distrust and criticism toward news organizations abounded, with comments such as 'This is why they're called 'mass media trash',' 'There's no journalistic ethics whatsoever,' and 'The trust in Japanese media, where biased reporting is normalized, has plummeted.' Many users demanded that the speaker be identified and held accountable. Furthermore, some media outlets re-uploaded the video after cutting out the problematic audio section, drawing accusations of 'cover-up.'

Several commentators, including Mr. Kitamura of the Conservative Party and economic critic Mr. Shoji Jo, also addressed this issue, questioning the media's reporting stance. While some LDP officials expressed 'regret,' dissatisfaction grew among others who wondered if 'the old media is exercising its freedom not to report,' referring to the major media outlets' apparent silence on the matter.

This series of events has once again highlighted the public's intense scrutiny of the neutrality and objectivity of news organizations when reporting on politicians and party activities. In an age where information spreads instantaneously, the very nature of journalistic ethics demanded from the media is being called into question.

The Context

Sanae Takaichi is a prominent conservative politician within Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), often considered a potential future leader. She has previously run for the LDP presidency. The incident occurred during a 'burasagari kaiken,' an informal, impromptu press scrum where reporters gather around a politician, typically after a more formal meeting or event. Such interactions are a common, albeit often chaotic, part of Japanese political reporting.

The mention of 'slush funds' (裏金) refers to recurring scandals involving undeclared political funds, a sensitive issue in Japanese politics. 'Yasukuni' refers to Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial war memorial that honors Japan's war dead, including convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II. Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine often draw strong criticism from neighboring countries, particularly China and South Korea. The reference to 'Mr. Aso' likely refers to Taro Aso, a powerful LDP veteran and former Prime Minister, suggesting potential backroom influence or guidance. The public reaction reflects a broader skepticism towards the impartiality of Japanese mainstream media, which is sometimes accused of biased reporting or being too close to the political establishment.