Current location:health >>
VOX POPULI: Seven years on, the Moritomo Gakuen scandal still unexplained
health17138People have gathered around
Introduction“Spotlight” is a 2015 U.S. film based on a true story of The Boston Globe’s team of reporters exposi ...
“Spotlight” is a 2015 U.S. film based on a true story of The Boston Globe’s team of reporters exposing extensive child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and the systemic cover-up of the scandal.
In one memorable scene, one of the reporters meets with a judge and requests access to a document that has been submitted to the court for evidence.
But the judge tells him with a scowl that the document in question is highly classified and demands to know who at the newspaper will take responsibility if the document gets published.
The reporter immediately replies with a question that goes to the effect: “But if we don’t publish it, who is going to take responsibility?”
According to a reporter of the local newspaper on which the movie was based, the above exchange really did take place before the court released the document.
The film reminds me of the sorry reality of information disclosure in Japan.
Incredible fuss is made over the possibility of problems emerging because of the disclosure, whereas no one who decides against disclosure has their responsibility questioned.
Something is quite amiss in this.
It was on Feb. 9 exactly seven years ago that The Asahi Shimbun first reported on the so-called Moritomo Gakuen scandal.
Why did the government sell its land at a whopping discount of 800 million yen ($5.35 million) in such a murky way?
Why did the Finance Ministry falsify its documents?
These questions remain unanswered to this day.
No progress has been made in the disclosure of official documents that are crucial to anyone’s understanding of this scandal in its entirety.
In a lawsuit demanding the disclosure of documents the Finance Ministry submitted to prosecutors, even whether those falsified documents exist has not been revealed.
Official documents are meant for disclosure “in principle,” says the government. Well, talk is cheap.
By obscuring reality, are we not allowing irreparable damage to be made to what is truly important but invisible to the eye, such as the future of our democracy and social justice?
Who is going to take responsibility--and how--for not revealing the truth?
The Moritomo Gakuen scandal is definitely not over.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 9
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Series news portal”。http://mayotte.fightbigfood.org/content-19f699976.html
Related articles
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
healthSALERNO, Italy (AP) — Verona secured a place in next year’s Serie A after beating Salernitana 2-1 on ...
【health】
Read moreXi Story: The Growth Story of a 'Dot'
healthContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【health】
Read moreXi Stresses Accelerated Efforts to Build Leading Country in Education
healthContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【health】
Read more
Popular articles
- 'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
- Xi Addresses Opening Ceremony of Plenary Session of Second Eurasian Economic Forum
- Spring flowers enchant people across China
- Xiconomics: How China
- Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
- Gansu beckons as destination of beauty and progress
Latest articles
Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
Ancient town boosts local cultural tourism in Mangshi City, SW China
Xi Replies to Letter from Bangladeshi Child Alifa Chin
Xi Addresses Opening Ceremony of Plenary Session of Second Eurasian Economic Forum
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Xi Jinping: Embracing a Brighter Future for Our Six Countries
LINKS
- Pakistan investigating the shooting death of a suspect in the 2013 killing of an accused Indian spy
- Chinese People See off Comrade Jiang Zemin in Beijing
- Xi Says China to List Saudi Arabia as Destination for Group Travel
- Full Text of Xi's Signed Article on Saudi Media
- Full Text of Xi's Signed Article on Saudi Media
- China Ready to Join Chile for Stronger Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Says Xi
- Xi Meets Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez
- More World Leaders Mourn Passing of Former Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin
- Xi's Speech to Be Published
- Xi's Overseas Trip Demonstrates China's Commitment to Global Growth, Governance