Japan Media Review Update: February 24, 2005

JMR Staff (Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California)

Review
The following reviews are posted at: http://www.japanmediareview.com/japan/digest/digest.php

02.17.05
Toshiba Technology Allows Remote PC Access From Wireless Phone
From Mobile Pipeline News: New software from Toshiba will enable users to log on to their Windows desktop from a cell phone, according to the Associated Press. Subscribers to Japanese wireless company KDDI's 3G service will have access to Toshiba's Ubiquitous Viewer software beginning in March. Once the program is installed on both the phone and computer, users can remotely send and receive e-mail and reboot their PC.
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Erica Ogg

02.17.05
NTT DoCoMo Ditches Money-Losing PHS Business
From Yahoo Asia News via Reuters: Japan's largest mobile phone operator, NTT DoCoMo, will terminate its unprofitable personal handyphone system (PHS) service in two to three years to concentrate on the mobile phone business, reported Nihon Keizai Shimbun. PHS is a simpler and cheaper wireless phone service that operates within a smaller area than a traditional cell phone. DoCoMo started the PHS business in 1998, but as mainstream cell phone services became less expensive and expanded their functions, the company lost PHS subscribers. More than 1 million users subscribed to NTT DoCoMo's PHS service as of January 2005, though the company lost 230,000 subscribers from the previous year. The company's financial loss from the PHS service was 35.5 billion yen ($336 million) in the year ended March 2004, reported the business daily. NTT DoCoMo, the second-largest PHS service provider, will no longer accept new subscribers for PHS starting in April, which leaves No.1 Willcom Inc. as the only PHS provider for nationwide service. DoCoMo expects to lose 60 billion yen ($569 million) as it shuts down the PHS operation over the next month.
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Keiko Mori

02.11.05
Critics Question NHK's Mission
From AsiaMedia: In light of the recent string of scandals at NHK, critics are beginning to doubt the public broadcaster's effectiveness and purpose. Established in 1950 under the Broadcast Law and funded by mandatory public viewer fees, NHK was intended to improve the nation's broadcast technology and offer "high-quality broadcast programs for the public welfare," while remaining politically neutral. Former NHK foreign correspondent Steve Herman said NHK was integral to establishing the level and range of media coverage in Japan today, but that its purpose is now "obsolete." Privatization of the station would improve its image and regain lost public trust, Herman said. NHK's Los Angeles bureau chief, Takachi Ichinose, said NHK's mission is still important as Japan's sole public broadcaster.
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Erica Ogg

02.08.05
Group Urges Subscribers Not to Pay NHK Fees
From Japan Today: A newly formed group calling for political neutrality at NHK is urging subscribers to withhold viewing fees unless the station stops informing politicians about programming content before broadcasting. The group of academics and citizens said members will refuse to pay their fees unless NHK meets their demands by March 7. NHK said they have "urged such people to stop the actions," which they call "extremely regrettable." The viewers' group formed in the aftermath of the recent scandal in which an NHK producer announced the broadcaster had edited a 2001 program on Japan's wartime sex slavery after being pressured by two Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers. The group is also asking that the program be rebroadcast in its original form and a clause be added to NHK's charter outlining a policy of political neutrality. NHK said it will examine the request and "respond sincerely."
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Erica Ogg

02.08.05
ISP Collects More Shares in Nippon Broadcasting
From Mainichi Shimbun: Internet service provider Livedoor boosted its stake in Nippon Broadcasting System Corp. by more than 9 million shares to 35 percent, company officials announced Feb. 8. Industry observers anticipate a future clash over Nippon Broadcasting as Fuji TV already bid to take over the radio station last month. Livedoor officials also announced they will seek funds to buy a company by issuing 80 billion yen ($756 million) in euro-based bonds. Company sources said Livedoor will use that money to further increase its stake in Nippon Broadcasting.
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Erica Ogg

Monthly Pressnet Bulletin
Media Attack Foreign Ministry's Secrecy Surrounding Tsunami Victims
From the February Pressnet Bulletin: The Foreign Ministry has come under attack from the country's media for its continuing refusal to release the names of Japanese victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The ministry said it is not obligated to report Japanese deaths abroad or release victims' identities and in this case does not have the families' consent to do so. Normally, when a Japanese citizen dies abroad, police or hospital officials will release the victim's name, age and gender, and the Foreign Ministry will gain family consent before revealing an identity to the media. The Foreign Ministry released just the number of dead and missing Japanese until media pressure caused them to publicize the tsunami victims' ages and genders. One media official complained they cannot confirm any information and added, "We also fear that the families might be being used by the ministry as a way to conceal information." Media officials want to be allowed to exercise discretion in publishing the victims' names on their own, Pressnet added.
-- By Japan Media Review Associate Editor Erica Ogg