News Intentionally Manipulated Against Faith

Omission of key events from news picture about faith minority part of larger strategy based on news intentionally manipulated

Fake news and malicious manipulation of public opinion created by the media’s “cover-up”

Tokyo, 16th July 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article

by Tsukasa Masuki (増 記代司)

Denounced as a “Conspiracy Theory”

There is a “guide” on NTT-related websites [Editor’s note: The Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) is a Japanese telecommunications holding company headquartered in Tokyo. It is the fourth largest telecommunications company globally in terms of revenue. NTT was established in 1952 by the Japanese government.] to avoid being deceived by ‘fake news.’ It emphasizes that fake news isn’t just information constructed without basis in fact or based on rumors; it can also be intentionally manipulated by individuals to influence public opinion. Developing “media literacy” is essential to avoid falling for such deception.

The term ‘隠蔽’ (inpei) [Editor’s note: The Japanese term “隠蔽” refers to concealment, suppression, or hiding. In the context of the media world, it can imply covering up information, manipulating facts, or intentionally obscuring certain details.] also plays a role in spreading fake news.

An article in our paper’s edition dated 10^th July reported suspicions that liberal media in the United States had been complicit in concealing President Biden’s cognitive decline (as reported by Yosuke Yamazaki in Washington). When conservative media raised this issue, they were accused of promoting conspiracy theories. It might be fair to say that ‘隠蔽’ (inpei – concealment) is a common tactic used by left-leaning media to create fake news.

This concept of ‘隠蔽’ (inpei) can also be observed in an article from the Asahi Shimbun’s series titled “Deep Current: Two Years Since the Shooting of Shinzo Abe” (from 9^th to 11^th July). The front-page headline on 9^th July reads, “Secret Meeting: Prime Minister’s Reversal of Dissolution Order Requirements.” It discusses Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s sudden change in the requirements for a dissolution order related to the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church). The question remains: What was the basis for altering these requirements overnight, especially since no cabinet meeting had taken place during that time?

The overnight change refers to this: On 14^th October 2022, the Kishida Cabinet made a Cabinet decision that “acts deemed wrongful according to the Civil Code are not included” in the requirements for dissolution. In a Diet reply on the morning of 18^th October 2022, Prime Minister Kishida stated this clearly, only to reverse his position in a Diet reply on the morning of 19^th October when he indicated that civil law would indeed be included. There was no Cabinet meeting during this period, raising questions about the basis on which the dissolution requirements were abruptly changed.

Bringing Up the “Secret Meeting”

According to an Asahi newspaper article, on the afternoon of the 18^th October 2022, there was a secret emergency meeting held in a room at the Prime Minister’s official residence. During this meeting, the Prime Minister’s secretary, officials from the Ministry of Justice, and officials from the Agency for Cultural Affairs discussed and made adjustments to the Prime Minister’s response.

Previously, the available information suggested that there was only a meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isosaki (磯崎仁彦) on the morning of 19th October regarding dissolution requirements, leading to questions about the sudden change in interpretation due to the meeting.

However, there is no evidence that the Prime Minister or other ministers were involved in this meeting. The Asahi article does not mention their participation. It appears to be a discussion between the Prime Minister’s secretary and some bureaucrats. Whether this can truly be called a “meeting” that altered cabinet decisions remains uncertain. Even if the discussion was factual, it seems more like a routine gathering. Yet, for some reason, Asahi specifically refers to it as a “meeting”, raising suspicions of concealment.

So, what is being hidden? It relates to the “political misconduct” involving a “collusion” between House of Councillors member Hiroyuki Konishi (小西洋之) of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and Prime Minister Kishida, as reported in our paper on the 5th (the series “Freedom of Religion Under Threat – The Kishida Administration’s Reckless Actions ⑤ Changing of rules overnight undermines the foundation of the rule of law). In a YouTube video on 22^nd August 2023, Konishi revealed the behind-the-scenes story of the interpretation change, saying,

“The day before (18^th Oct.), I had contacted the Prime Minister’s Office, advising them to retract the interpretation. I even gave them the reasons for doing so and suggested they should say that the entire Kishida administration had re-discussed the matter. I promised not to pursue that part further if they did so. Prime Minister Kishida said exactly that. However, this is a lie.”

The lie was the claim that it had been “discussed by the entire Kishida administration.”

The Asahi Shimbun does not mention the visit

In reality, the parliamentary questioning on 19^th October 2022, unfolded exactly as negotiated between Senator Konishi and Prime Minister Kishida. Our newspaper, in an article dated 5^th July 2024, even introduced details about Prime Minister Kishida meeting with Senator Konishi just before the parliamentary session.

However, Asahi completely avoided mentioning these points. Like Senator Konishi, they went along with “let’s just say the entire Kishida administration had re-discussed the matter. We won’t pursue that part further.”  Asahi abruptly introduced the concept of a “secret meeting” as if to provide evidence for their claims. Not only that, but without hesistation they chronicled various instances of “reckless political action”. Unfortunately, space constraints prevent us from delving into all of these details.

The advice on combating fake news introduced at the beginning of this article suggests that “one way is to obtain information from media with clear sources”. However, in reality that is far from enough. Even when the sources are clear, “manipulation of public opinion by persons with malicious intentions” continues unabated.

text: Tsukasa Masuki (増 記代司)

Featured image above: Fake news. Illustration by Microsoft Designer Image Creator 17th July 2024.

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