Koizumi Wants NHK to Target More Gaijin

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]Kyodo via Crisscross: Koizumi says NHK should air more English-language programs for foreign residents
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday that Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK) should offer more English-language programming in Japan for the benefit of foreign residents...Koizumi told reporters Friday that more foreign-language programming should be offered to people outside Japan to let them learn more about the country...Koizumi's comment followed his talks Thursday night with well-known foreigners working in Japan, in which they said NHK, the public broadcaster, should dedicate at least one of its channels to programming designed specifically for foreign residents, instead of the simultaneous translations of Japanese-language broadcasts...Science and technology minister Iwao Matsuda said, "Japanese who take part in international conferences are not disseminating sufficient information about Japan."

[Greji]

[floatl][/floatl]Kyodo via Crisscross: Koizumi says NHK should air more English-language programs for foreign residents

Apparently there are a lot more people who are not getting the word. A mate of mine who is one of the primary FG announcers for NHK dropped by last night for a pint and said NHK is axing future English and simulcast big time. He has lost an incredable amount of monthly broadcast time (read that pay) and several other FGs and Japanese involved with English programing have been outright canned. Even their main comedy act, English broadcast of Sumo, is being significantly curtailed.

[maninjapan]

Target - as in to shoot or get their TV license fees off them? Because I know of no gaijin that pays the "voluntary" amount to NHK.

[Mulboyne]

A mate of mine who is one of the primary FG announcers for NHK dropped by last night for a pint and said NHK is axing future English and simulcast big time. He has lost an incredable amount of monthly broadcast time (read that pay) and several other FGs and Japanese involved with English programing have been outright canned.

A lot of those guys work for Triple Sun Talent run by Claire O'Connor. The site is key directory of FGs.

[canman]

[Mulboyne]

This email letter is a veritable spot-the-FG.

Koizumi Email News: Making Japan a country whose charms appeal to foreigners

The other day a public survey conducted by the BBC World Service and the University of Maryland in the United States between October 2005 and January 2006 revealed that Japan was viewed as having the most positive influence on the world. The results were based on responses from approximately 40,000 people in 33 countries around the world.

Last week, I invited foreigners residing in Japan to my office and asked what appeals to them about life in Japan seen from the eyes of foreigners.

Among them were a young proprietress of an old-established ryokan (Japanese inn) who hosts her guests in a kimono in the spirit of Japan, a company executive who restored the business of a sake brewery, a tour guide who has climbed 90 of the 100 mountains in Japan recognized for their scenic beauty, and a journalist who has lived in a row house in the old part of Tokyo, built during the Taisho Period. All of them were women from the US.

There was also a female associate professor from Canada who is promoting Taste Japan, a campaign for people to experience the profound charms of Japan. Also, I met a Korean lady who runs a travel agency, who told me that lately an increasing number of Korean tourists are visiting Japan to go golfing and enjoy the hot springs.

And then there was a gentleman from Australia who heads a company and promotes skiing in the winter and outdoor sports such as river- rafting on rubber boats in the summer in Niseko Town in Hokkaido. I also met a person from the US who is the chairman of a company that preserves old urbane houses, as well as offers courses to experience the traditions and culture of Japan.

There was a female associate professor originally from an inland town in Germany who was drawn by the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea which she now works to protect. A university professor from China told me that he now knows that Japan is a peaceful and beautiful country, unlike the impressions of others in his country, even stories he had heard from his own mother. He added that he wanted to do more to introduce these aspects of Japan to the people in his country.

The people I met were all unique, and they taught me about the many draws and charms of Japan that go unnoticed by the Japanese people.

Professor Shosaburo Kimura, the moderator of the meeting, says that, "What is vital is to build a community that is women-friendly, safe for the elderly, and easy to navigate for foreigners."

Three years ago the number of tourists visiting Japan from abroad annually was five million people. Nowadays this number is close to reaching seven million due to such factors as the hosting of the EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan and the exemption of visa requirements for people from the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. I intend to advance efforts in making Japan a country that draws foreigners with the goal of "reaching ten million people by 2010."

[Greji]

This email letter is a veritable spot-the-FG.

Koizumi Email News: Making Japan a country whose charms appeal to foreigners-snip-

Professor Shosaburo Kimura, the moderator of the meeting, says that, "What is vital is to build a community that is women-friendly, safe for the elderly, and easy to navigate for foreigners."
-snip-

Nice idea. I wonder if Koizumi and the other three J-people who think this way in the country, can convince the rest of the population.