Xenophobia and the Erosion of Human Rights in Japanese Publishing

In its July 31 issue, the Japanese publisher Shinchosha released a column by journalist Masayuki Takayama in its weekly magazine "Shukan Shincho." The piece, characterized by xenophobic sentiments, targeted individuals of foreign descent who held differing viewpoints. This publication raises serious questions regarding the human rights awareness of the major publishing house.

Takayama's column specifically attacked individuals with foreign roots, including an author, researcher, and actor. He stated, "It's your choice if you dislike Japan or the Japanese, but at least don't use Japanese names." The title, "Soshi-kaimei 2.0," references a historical policy that forced people in colonial Korea to adopt Japanese names. This rhetoric denies diversity and could potentially lead to the exclusion of foreigners. The demand to change one's name, a fundamental aspect of personal identity, is unacceptable.

Writer Ushio Fukazawa, whose name was mentioned in the column, expressed concern about the publisher's propagation of racism at a recent press conference, demanding an apology from Shinchosha. Fukazawa, who has roots in the Korean Peninsula, has documented the struggles faced by Korean residents in Japan. The Japan P.E.N. Club also issued an urgent statement expressing concern over the prevalence of exclusionist discourse, and other writers have voiced their protests.

Following the press conference, Shinchosha issued an apology on its website to Fukazawa, acknowledging the emotional harm caused by the column. The publisher also promised to inform the columnist about changes in public opinion and societal demands. However, Takayama did not address the issue in his subsequent column.

This is not the first instance of Shinchosha publishing content that disregards human rights. In 2018, the publisher released a contribution by Mio Sugita, then a member of the House of Representatives, in its monthly magazine "Shincho 45." Sugita claimed that sexual minority couples were "unproductive," which sparked significant social controversy and led to the magazine's suspension.

Publishers bear a fundamental responsibility to contribute to a better society. The repeated instances of disregard for human rights at Shinchosha necessitate an in-depth examination of the underlying causes.

A society thrives on the contributions of people from diverse origins and cultural backgrounds. Accepting arguments that reject differing opinions based on one's background threatens individual rights and can lead to societal stagnation.