Why Major Newspapers Ignore the Ministry of Finance Dissolution Protest

In the vertically segmented structure of newspaper companies, only financial correspondents assigned to the Ministry of Finance can write articles on the topic

“The fact that the mainstream media is not reporting on the Ministry of Finance dismantling protests has become a hot topic on social media, further fueling backlash and controversy. I don’t think protesting in front of the Ministry of Finance and shouting is completely meaningless. As the protests spread on social media, they sent a strong ‘NO’ to the ruling party, which is obedient to the Ministry of Finance. This could have an impact on the upcoming House of Councillors election. Even now, the Ministry of Finance is resisting policies like raising the ¥1.03 million income threshold proposed by the Democratic Party for the People, arguing that it would reduce tax revenue,” said a political journalist.

Television coverage began with TV Tokyo reporting on the protest on February 21, followed by TV Asahi and Fuji TV on February 24. However, as of now, TBS and Nippon TV have not reported on it. According to a source from one of the TV networks that did cover the protests:

“We didn’t give it extensive coverage, but even so, the reporters covering the Ministry of Finance were reluctant to report on it. However, due to increasing criticism of TV networks as old media, the decision was made at the executive level to cover the protests.”

More reluctant than TV networks to report on the protests are major newspapers, which have not covered the Ministry of Finance dismantling demonstrations at all. According to sources, the issue runs even deeper than that of TV stations.

Former Asahi Shimbun deputy political editor and journalist Hiroshi Samejima explained:

“In newspaper companies, news related to the Ministry of Finance can only be written by reporters belonging to the ‘Fiscal Research Group’ (commonly known as ‘Zaiken’), a press club. In Asahi Shimbun’s case, out of 2,000 reporters, only four or five belong to Zaiken. Within the economic department, Zaiken reporters are considered elites, and the Zaiken chief is seen as a candidate for future executive positions. These reporters do not judge what is newsworthy on their own; instead, they believe that an article praised by the Ministry of Finance is a good article. Therefore, they know that reporting on the protests would put them at odds with the Ministry, and no reporter is willing to take that risk.”

Inside the Ministry of Finance, articles are evaluated, and highly rated reporters may even be appointed as members of the Fiscal System Council. Compared to TV networks, newspapers maintain a much closer relationship with the Ministry.

“In last year’s House of Representatives election, the Democratic Party for the People and Reiwa Shinsengumi, which campaigned on tax cuts, made significant gains. Tax reduction is one of the public’s biggest concerns, making the protests highly newsworthy. If the media continuously reports on what politicians say about taxes and subsidies, they should also report on the actions of ordinary citizens, including protests. However, because it is related to the Ministry of Finance, even though the issue is widely discussed online, the rigid structure of newspapers means that only Zaiken reporters can cover it. Still, if newspapers receive a flood of complaints asking, ‘Why aren’t you covering the protests?’ the editorial chief may decide to report on them. The media is sensitive to criticism. If Zaiken reporters refuse to write about it, then another department, such as the social affairs section, might take it up under the newspaper’s directive,” Samejima said.

With the Ministry of Finance holding overwhelming power over the media, journalists remain silent. As this reality becomes more apparent, public anger is likely to escalate even further.