As a former American now living in Japan, my perspective since leaving is that America has an edifice of "legitimate" news sources that serve as propaganda outlets by means of their focus and omissions. I lost count of the number of NYT/BBC/etc stories that misrepresent Japan and Asia in general in the context of geopolitics, popular culture, etc. Not to mention the overt election-steering by the NYT in its efforts to stimulate support for Clinton (which oddly continue to this day).
I'm quite interested in Japan (and wants to live there some day), mostly because I'm learning the language. What sort of things did you consider to be misrepresented? This question is from a position of complete ignorance, please don't feel like I'm doubting you.
- Stories that drive the narrative that Japan is on the brink of war with China. News in Japan covers tensions with China, but also positive news about foreign relations.
- Endless nonsense about poisonous food from Fukushima.
- The protectionist sham of Toyota's "unintended acceleration" scandal. (It turns out it was old people who stamped on the gas, but it served the domestic auto industry's interests.)
- All the stories about kids killing themselves in the foothills of Fujisan.
- All the stories about wacky vending machines. In reality, they're pretty boring but useful and ubiquitous.
- Stories about the activities of Tokyo Governor Koike that push the thesis that Japan is lagging behind the West in gender politics.
- Nearly every piece by Motoko Rich in the NYT.
Anyway, western media does a good job of avoiding outright untruths, but displays a frequent lack of nuance and a focus on things that aren't important in Japan. It makes me wonder why they feel the need to opine in the first place.
