end of Wai Wai on Mainichi website???

[kamome]

Mainichi has, rightfully, decided that it is not the place to have that discussion. It has no obligation to do so. Waiwai was a bad idea. They realized it and not they canned it.

You've come up with doozies in the past, Jack, but this might take the cake. You think that's the end of the story? Just accept their decision and let it go?

As others in the thread have said, there's much more to this issue, such as how WaiWai employees are being thrown under the bus just for appearances, the fact that a major newspaper is letting extremists bully it into self-censorship and the fact that a lynch mob is libelling and physically threating a foreign writer.

[omae mona]

Mainichi has, rightfully, decided that it is not the place to have that discussion. It has no obligation to do so. Waiwai was a bad idea. They realized it and not they canned it.

Jack, WaiWai existed in its current form since 2001. It was probably a major draw of traffic to their English language website (something I am sure they monitor). Of course the Mainichi management was highly aware of WaiWai's existence the entire time. If they thought it was a "bad idea", they obviously would have canned it way prior to 2008.

If you think that this decision was due to Mainichi's deep self-reflection about their 7 years of publishing WaiWai, just coincidentally timed to concur with the 2ch protests, then I would say you are deluding yourself.

Waiwai only became a "bad idea" once the 2ch crew showed up a few weeks ago and promised to create a nuisance. Mainichi decided to avoid confrontation and make the 2ch problem go away by cancelling the column and throwing the staff under the bus. You seemed to agree in an earlier post that this was the case, no? But there is obviously some disagreement between you and others about whether this was an acceptable thing for Mainichi to do.

[amdg]

You’ve presented your case. You’ve made your point. You’ve even thrown about some general slander and questioning of parentage.

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[Catoneinutica]

Though this case affects someone we know and admire, it ultimately boils down to...TIJ. If, at some point in the pre-2Chan era, I were to have written a book about my sexcapades with Masako-sama while we were at Harvard (:D ), and a copy had fallen into the hands of the uyoku, I'm sure I'd have been mailed a bullet or three. As was remarked on in the recent thread about the grovelling apology made by a J-mag over some goofy mohammad cartoon they had published, threat-of-violence-enforced self-censorship afflicts the J-media (and J-populace) from stem to stern.

-catone
-crotchety
-get off my lawn!

[katakori]

Sweet irony: forget bestiality tabloid stories, this news shows to the rest of the world that bullying in Japan is a normal and acceptable part of life. If anything, that's shameful...

[Mulboyne]

The Mainichi is just one big apology today. They plan to appoint a female editor and start from scratch:

[SIZE="4"]Mainichi Daily News to start over again[/SIZE]

[SIZE="2"]Report on developments and apology[/SIZE]

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. continued to post extremely inappropriate articles in the WaiWai column of the Mainichi Daily News (MDN), its English Web site. We have reported the results of an in-house investigation into the case on Pages 22 and 23 of the July 20 morning edition of the Mainichi Shimbun. We continued to post articles that contained incorrect information about Japan and indecent sexual content. These articles, many of which were not checked, should not have been dispatched to Japan or the world. We apologize deeply for causing many people trouble and for betraying the public's trust in the Mainichi Shimbun. The Mainichi Newspapers took punitive measures on July 20 against Managing Director Yoshiyuki Watanabe, who previously served as general manager of the Multimedia Division, and another senior official, to hold them responsible as supervisors, in addition to those who were earlier punished. We will take the following measures to prevent a recurrence of the problems pointed out to us through the criticism and opinions received from many readers, through our in-house investigation, and as indicated by the Open Newspaper Committee of experts: On Aug. 1, we will reorganize the MDN Editorial Department, and on Sept. 1, under a new chief editor, the MDN will be transformed into a more news-oriented site. We will translate Mainichi Shimbun editorials and commentaries by prominent figures, such as "Jidai-no-Kaze" (Sign of the Times), and post them on the site in an effort to deepen the understanding of Japan among readers overseas. At the same time, we will set up an advisory group to the MDN comprised of Megumi Nishikawa, an expert senior writer, and other staff writers specializing in international news coverage. The group will check the MDN's editorial plans and the content of articles in the MDN. We are determined to try our utmost to regain the public trust that we have lost as a result of this incident and rehabilitate the English site into one that can dispatch information about Japan to the world in an appropriate manner.

[SIZE="4"]The Mainichi Shimbun pledges to learn from its serious errors[/SIZE]

[SIZE="2"]Strengthening the checking system to prevent a recurrence[/SIZE]

It was impermissible as a news organization that the Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. continuously posted inappropriate articles in the WaiWai column of the Mainichi Daily News (MDN), its English site. The articles had inappropriate content that should not have been dispatched in Japan or to the world, such as incorrect information about Japan and indecent sexual topics. We apologize deeply for making many people feel uncomfortable, damaging many people's reputations, causing great trouble and at the same time, betraying the public's trust in the Mainichi Shimbun. We are deeply sorry.

An in-house investigation has indicated that many articles in the column in question were barely checked before being posted, and that the seriousness of the problem went undetected even within the company. We neglected repeated warnings from those outside the company. These are serious errors and are extremely regrettable. In accordance with internal regulations, those involved in the matter have been severely punished. In an effort to maintain and improve the quality of the printed edition of its newspaper, the Mainichi Newspapers has an article review division, and has also set up an Open Newspaper Committee, a third-party panel comprised of experts. Nevertheless, we failed to notice the problems that occurred on the English site. Our quality-control system was insufficient. We also failed to clearly define the role of our English site, which dispatches news to the world. We have worked out measures to prevent a recurrence while keeping in mind the results of our in-house investigation and opinions from many readers.

We have decided to reform the MDN in order to rehabilitate it into a site that can dispatch information to the world that can help people properly understand Japan. We will appoint a female employee as the new chief editor, based on our realization that the lack of a woman's point of view, in addition to the lack of a checking system, helped to create a situation in which inappropriate articles continued to be published in the column. An advisory group will be set up to give appropriate advice on the content of articles.

We have already shut down the WaiWai column, but if we find outside Web sites that have copied and posted past WaiWai articles, we will explain the situation and ask the site operators to correct or delete them. We received valuable opinions from members of the Open Newspaper Committee, who were asked for the first time for their views on the English site. We will ask them to keep a close eye on Mainichi Web sites including the MDN. We will also boost the system to properly respond to opinions from those outside the company.The WaiWai problem has called into question whether the Mainichi Newspapers has clearly defined the role of its English site. We are determined to try our utmost to regain the public trust that we have lost as a result of this problem.

There are more details of the investigation via the link.

[American Oyaji]

Question: Did they post excerpts from the tabloids in the Japanese version of the site?

[ichigo partygirl]

i was thinking that it would be one of the stories on the front page, not an entire page of apologies before you can even get to the paper. Over-the-top to the point of being laughable. This is almost enough to put me off reading this paper anymore. It seems they are almost apologising to the wrong people since it is Japanese who complained, yet the Japanese site goes straight to the top page with just a link at the top of it which directs readers to the Japanese apology.

[katakori]

Over-the-top to the point of being laughable.

I am still extremely offended, and I will only be satisfied when the emperor of Japan apologises to me directly.

I heard a rumor that the CEO of Mainichi will resign and become a monk, and the CEO's of all major companies in Japan resign too, as a sign of solidarity and shame.

This is becoming the biggest JP joke of the last few years...

[Mulboyne]

[Buraku]

If Waiwai wants to return to beloved Japan's journalism system it must pass all those Press Club system regulations. Kisha Clubs helped keep the gaijins out for many years and these days journalists, photographers etc must yeild to the government, corporations codes of social conformity

[Mulboyne]

[Kuang_Grade]

[Mulboyne]

Robert Neff says:

The upcoming issue of the FCCJ's No. 1 Shimbun will report that WaiWai's takedown was orchestrated by a right-wing group intent on punishing Mainichi for publishing the Soka Gakkai's newspaper.

[Greji]

Robert Neff says:

It's about time these so-called correspondents took a position.....

It's also kinda interesting as Take had pointed out in other threads. Obviously, the Right wingers don't have Soka Gakkai very high up on their Christmas Card list....

[Taro Toporific]

[Iraira]

Again, all of this is following the plans that I laid out, in order to dominate the world. I have pitted the uyoku against the Sokka Gakkai, and after they destroy each other, there will be nothing to stand in my way of controlling everything. The fools don't even see how I am using them.

I will be auctioning off parts of Tokyo (109, Alta, Parisienne in Kabukicho, etc) after I control it. Some of it will be going real cheap, as when one owns the world, they not only must bear the guilt, but also pay a helluva lot in rent. Who wants to start the bidding on Pinky Girls? You also get all the pre-teens that are included in each magazine. Good when they turn 20, but it'll take several loads of laundry to get all of their make-up stains out of your bed linen.

Bidding starts at 105 yen (tax in).

[Charles]

[Takechanpoo]

Again, all of this is following the plans that I laid out, in order to dominate the world. I have pitted the uyoku against the Sokka Gakkai, and after they destroy each other, there will be nothing to stand in my way of controlling everything. The fools don't even see how I am using them.

I will be auctioning off parts of Tokyo (109, Alta, Parisienne in Kabukicho, etc) after I control it. Some of it will be going real cheap, as when one owns the world, they not only must bear the guilt, but also pay a helluva lot in rent. Who wants to start the bidding on Pinky Girls? You also get all the pre-teens that are included in each magazine. Good when they turn 20, but it'll take several loads of laundry to get all of their make-up stains out of your bed linen.

Bidding starts at 105 yen (tax in).

Real Uyoku is to assassinate their targets like pre-war Uyoku had done many times over. But needless to say, unfortunately recent would-be Uyokus are fake who just sprechchor loudly in front of their targets. If they insist they are real deal, they should do Takenaka, Kimura and Koizumi at the expense of their life.
On the other hand, Soka Gakkai is in fact a huge capitalist who can already control major J-medias, J-police, J-government and J-bureaucrats. Soka almost has ruled all of Japan. And of course Soka can control even Uyokus.
No domestic powers can beat Soka.

[Greji]

Real Uyoku is to assassinate their targets like pre-war Uyoku had done many times over. But needless to say, unfortunately recent would-be Uyokus are fake who just sprechchor loudly in front of their targets. If they insist they are real deal, they should do Takenaka, Kimura and Koizumi at the expense of their life.
On the other hand, Soka Gakkai is in fact a huge capitalist who can already control major J-medias, J-police, J-government and J-bureaucrats. Soka almost has ruled all of Japan. And of course Soka can control even Uyokus.
No domestic powers can beat Soka.

Oh, you've already joined up? Not that I would vote for Komeito, but I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot!

[Mulboyne]

Debito has noticedthat J-Cast has an article highlighting the Japan Times "Tokyo Confidential" column. It was the J-Cast article about the net criticism of Wai Wai which forced the Mainichi to retreat swiftly.

[Osakadave]

Lets hope JT has more balls to stand up to the bullies than MDN did.

[Takechanpoo]

Printing-Soka's-newspaper Mainichi started losing its sponsors because of wai wai problem, according to Japanese ariticle:lol:

[Mulboyne]

MDN launches revamped site, renews apology

The Mainichi Newspapers has revamped its English Web site, The Mainichi Daily News (MDN). Based on many opinions received from readers, the MDN will place importance on content from the Mainichi Shimbun -- news, commentary and reviews. We will translate Mainichi Shimbun editorials, columns and commentary pieces by prominent figures, such as "Jidai-no-Kaze" (Sign of the Times) into English. We have adopted a new masthead and site design.

We have re-established a strong editing system to check articles and select appropriate feature stories, based on our regrets that we carried an unverified, inappropriate column in the past. We have set up an advisory group to the MDN comprising Sadaaki Numata, former Japanese ambassador to Canada; Andrew Horvat, visiting professor at Tokyo Keizai University; and Susan Millington, a freelance writer. We will ask the group for opinions on a regular basis and will introduce their views on the site. We will also utilize their experience in operating the site. We are determined to do our best to serve as an international media organization that dispatches accurate and appropriate news about Japan to the world.

MDN aims for reliability in renewed site

The Mainichi Newspapers has revamped The Mainichi Daily News' (MDN) editorial structure prior to its fresh start on Sept. 1. On this occasion, we would like to apologize again for the WaiWai column, which was carried in our paper version since October 1989 and in our online version from April 2001.

On June 21, we shut down the column and took measures to block access to past articles in the column. We are continuing to request Web sites and blogs carrying past WaiWai articles to delete them, as many of the articles carried in the column went far beyond the bounds of common sense and should not have been released either in Japan or abroad.

The WaiWai column used articles from magazines published in Japan without permission from their publishers. Information that was apparently not accurate was translated into English and republished, and some of the articles contained inappropriate additions. The column carried information that could have led to misunderstandings about Japan and its people, or certain countries and professions, over a long period of time.

It was an unacceptable act as a media organization that betrayed the confidence of our readers, and we sincerely apologize again for causing trouble to many people. After we carried our apology and reports on our inspection of the issue in the July 20 morning edition of the Mainichi Shimbun and its Web site in both Japanese and English, we have been receiving criticism and reproaches from many people. We take those opinions seriously, and will do our utmost to ensure that this will never happen again.

[Bucky]

Is the Japan Times' Tokyo Confidential now suffering the same fate as WaiWai? I noticed it has not been updated since late August. Is this the case of more Political Correctness being waged?

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/media_technology.html

[Mulboyne]

More apologies:

Mainichi: Mainichi apologizes for using articles without permission

In the printed and online editions of the Mainichi Shimbun on July 20, the Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. released the results of its investigations into the WaiWai column (shut down in June) of the Mainichi Daily News. In the column, articles were used without the consent of their publishers -- including publishing and newspaper companies. Our follow-up investigation has found that we used and translated articles published by 32 publishing and newspaper companies without their permission. We allowed another publisher to run some of these WaiWai articles in publications it printed, and received fees for the reprint. We are now in the process of repaying these reprint fees. We are continuing to apologize to the publishers for violating their copyrights. The defunct printed edition of the Mainichi Daily News, which was published before the Mainichi Daily News became an online newspaper, also used and translated articles from other publications without permission from their copyright holders between October 1989 and March 2001. We are continuing to offer explanations and apologies to the publishers of these articles. We regret, and apologize to readers, for our failure to provide thorough instructions to promote awareness on copyright issues and will step up our efforts to educate management and employees about these matters.

The Yomiuri weighs in:

'WaiWai' took articles from 32 firms

...According to the company investigation, articles from The Yomiuri Weekly, a magazine published by The Yomiuri Shimbun, were among those used without permission. Seventy articles and headlines were taken from the magazine, translated into English and posted on the WaiWai site...more...

[Mulboyne]

The Tokyo Reporter has an article suggesting the weeklies are being somewhat hypocritical,

[Taro Toporific]

[Western All Stars]

Ok, it seems this "controversy" just won't go away. The other day I open my mailbox and found a little present, this leaflet:



Basically it says in English:
"We thought what's in newspapers is the truth. Is the newspaper you're holding right now the truth? The Mainichi was been running false news in English that slander Japanese people for [font="Arial Black"]9 years[/font]:eek2: ...Please, learn about this issue to protect those you cherish."

The irony was the leaflet was sitting right on top some junk mail I sometimes get for companies that dispatch chicks to your house for "massages".

The Q-code is a little faded, but it takes you to a dedicated wiki for this issue alone. Anyone else see this site before? I'll admit the depth and scope of it is pretty impressive. They seem to working toward translating all the Wai Wai into Japanese for some reason. Never mind they came from Japanese tabloids (where's the outrage towards that?) in the first place and it was never meant to be confused with actual news.

For me, Wai Wai got me motivated a long time ago to study Japanese more. I always knew it was 99% bull of course, but it made me want to be able to read the stuff in the original. Those trashy tabloid articles are still be printed every week by the way, which I buy from time to time. I've been thinking about starting a blog like Wai Wai, but apparently quoting others' articles even when giving proper citations is now illegal. Or maybe that's just for gaijin.