A Lawsuit Against NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Corporation)

Recent Events in Japan A Lawsuit against NHK (Japanese following points: 1) Although VAWW-NET Broadcasting Corporation) Japan agreed to the planned content proposed by NHK, and fully cooperated in coverage of Amane Noguchi the Tribunal, the content of the program actually broadcast was completely different. The NHK ETV Series “How Should We VAWW-NET Japan’s expected profit was Adjudicate Wars,” broadcast from January 29 thereby infringed upon. 2) Damages incurred to February 1 2001, included a program that due to NHK’s violation of its obligation to was planned as a record of the “Women’s explain the changes in the program’s contents. International War Crimes Tribunal,” a The original plaintiffs were Yayori Matsui, historical undertaking that took place at the end Chairperson of VAWW-NET Japan, but after of the 20th century. However, due to Ms. Matsui’s death, Co-Chairperson Rumiko increasingly violent pressure from right-wing Nishino succeeded her as plaintiff in May groups demanding the cancellation of the 2003. program on the Tribunal, this program was In the trial to date, twelve sessions of oral repeatedly cut and re-edited, finally resulting in proceedings have been held, and the three most the deletion of the verdict that found Emperor recent sessions have included Hirohito guilty of crimes against humanity, cross-examination of witnesses. The testimony testimony by perpetrating Japanese veterans, of production staff and of the plaintiff and even the names of VAWW-NET Japan VAWW-NET Japan has clearly shown how the (Violence Against Women in War – Network, program was sabotaged, and shed light on the Japan, the secretariat for the Tribunal) and its defendant’s false claims that, “the program as Chairperson, who helped sponsor the Tribunal. broadcast followed the original production In addition, the comments of Ikuhiko Hata, the plan,” and “what the plaintiff calls sabotage right-wing historian, which were forcibly falls within the bounds of editing, and editorial added at the last minute, insulted the survivors rights that lie with the producer.” and defamed their honor. The next session in the trial will be held By broadcasting a sabotaged program on at the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, the Tribunal, NHK hid the fact that Japan’s September 10, 2003. In the evening, a meeting system of military sexual slavery (the “comfort will be held to report on the proceedings. Your women” system) was a war crime, thereby presence either as an observer in court or as a defaming the honor of the survivors, participant in the meeting would be most intentionally misleading viewers, and welcome. infringing on the right of free speech and the citizens’ right to know. Having determined that (Further inquiries about this court case should be NHK had thus abandoned its rights and made to the office of VAWW-NET Japan. Phone responsibilities as a news medium, on July 24 number: 81 3 3818 5903 or email 2001, VAWW-NET Japan instituted legal [email protected]) proceedings at the Tokyo District Court against NHK, NHK Enterprise, and Documentary Japan, suing for damages incurred on the two (Amane Noguchi: Staff of VAWW-NET Japan) 43 WOMEN’S ASIA 21 Voices from Japan No. 11 Summer 2003 .

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