Press criticizes decision to display Japanese flag at official government briefings
When Finance Ministers in other countries appear before the press, it is quite common to see national flags displayed behind them. However, when Japan’s new finance minister suggested such a practice, some members of the press criticized the move:
Press club members were divided over Nakagawa’s move.
“I’m opposed to it,” said one club member. “Mr. Nakagawa is a hawk. There is a political intention to what he is trying to do.”
Another saw nothing wrong with displaying the Hinomaru in the briefing room.
A third said the issue comes down to individual choice and thus the press club shouldn’t try to come up with a unified response to the ministry’s plan.
In the end, press club members decided to ask the ministry to explain further its intention and to hold off on displaying the flag until members have a chance to thoroughly discuss the matter.
A similar case occurred in 1999 when Nakagawa was serving as agricultural minister. He clashed with press club members there after placing the Hinomaru in the press briefing room over the protests of the press club.
The article notes that half of Japan’s government ministries display the national flag in their briefing rooms.
