Your current location:HOME >opinions >VOX POPULI: Seven years on, the Moritomo Gakuen scandal still unexplained 正文
TIME:2024-05-20 11:08:21 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
“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.
Rangers slugger Adolis García scratched from starting lineup with forearm soreness2024-05-20 11:06
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stuns in yellow patterned dress as she visits a lab in Wageningen2024-05-20 10:58
William Contreras leads the way as Brewers hit 5 homers off Martín Pérez in 102024-05-20 10:56
F1 driver Alex Albon signs a multiyear contract extension with Williams2024-05-20 10:15
Disneyland character and parade performers in California vote to join labor union2024-05-20 09:50
Austin to host MLS All2024-05-20 09:33
Iraq calls for ending UN assistance mission by end of 20252024-05-20 09:00
Edmunds: The five things you need to know before buying your first used Tesla2024-05-20 08:59
Mateta's hat trick helps Crystal Palace rout Aston Villa 52024-05-20 08:42
Queen Camilla pledges not to buy any more fur in latest Palace move away from animal products2024-05-20 08:41
Stolen antique weathervane recovered 40 years later and returned to Vermont2024-05-20 11:06
Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use congressional map with additional Black district2024-05-20 11:06
Meghan Markle touches down in LAX in £990 sweater, a £2,900 blazer and £815 shoes after marathon 182024-05-20 10:54
Canadians are hopeful shifting winds may push wildfire away from Fort McMurray2024-05-20 10:52
F1 Imola Grand Prix: Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to win Emilia Romagna and extend F1 lead2024-05-20 10:24
Griezmann scores hat trick as Atletico beats Getafe in Spanish league to seal Champions League spot2024-05-20 10:17
House signs off on FAA bill that addresses aircraft safety and the refund rights of passengers2024-05-20 09:39
Peterka scores twice for Germany in 82024-05-20 09:27
Hyderabad stays in contention for 2nd place in IPL with 42024-05-20 09:01
Reported sex assaults in the US military have dropped2024-05-20 08:52