The most popular video link on blogs today, according to Technorati, was a video entitled “TBS 安倍氏　サブリミナル” (TBS Abe Subliminal), which was a recording of the clip mentioned in this article:

The government is investigating a TV program by Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. on the wartime Japanese germ warfare unit because it includes footage in which a photo of Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe appears in the background, in a storeroom, officials said Wednesday.

Abe considered the front-runner to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in September, has no connection with the notorious Unit 731.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications was notified Tuesday about the TV program, which TBS broadcast on July 21, the officials said.

TBS said in a statement it had not deliberately included the Abe photo in the background of the shot and offered an apology for having caused trouble.

According to the broadcaster, while filming a TBS reporter conducting a phone interview in its newsroom, the Abe photo happened to be sitting within range of the shot, in a prop storeroom.

Interestingly enough, if you follow the link to the video clip, you will be greeted with the following message from YouTube:

“This video has been removed at the request of copyright owner Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc because its content was used without permission”

It would seem that TBS is so embarassed about their “mistake” that they are sending legal threats to YouTube. Who will save the citizens from their wraith? Do we not have a right to see the offending clip?

Luckily, the folks at TBS are far too slow to stop the spread of similar video clips. At the moment of this posting, the clip of Abe’s photo could be found here and here. Examination of the clip reveals that Abe’s face is flashed for only a split second, and it’s position on a clutter store room desk could actually be unintetionally included in the documentary. Of course, the fact that the documentary was being made about Japanese war crimes in WW2, and Shinzo Abe is a pro-Yasukuni visit “neoconservative” politican makes it seem like more than just a simple mistake.

Is the liberal media conspiracy out to get Abe?