From the IHT/Asahi Shimbun 15 Jan. 2004
As Japanese troops prepare for deployment to Iraq, the Defense Agency abruptly announced it will scale back regular news conferences involving key officials.
The agency was at pains to shoot down suggestions it is trying to manipulate the news.
Media representatives reacted with predictable outrage.
Iwao Kitahara, director-general of the agency’s Secretariat reporting to defense chief Shigeru Ishiba, revealed that news conferences from Monday will be given only by Ishiba, and the vice minister and the chairman of the Joint Staff Council. That lineup would omit the three chiefs of staff of the Ground, Maritime and Air SDF.
Explaining the decision, Kitahara said the Defense Agency holds too many news conferences compared with other ministries and agencies. He also said journalists sometimes have too few questions.
Kisha press club reporters covering the Defense Agency bristled at the action.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi commented Tuesday: “It is up to the agency how it releases information so the Japanese people can understand the SDF role in Iraq.”
(From IHT/ the Asahi)