Who reads the newspaper editorial? Every month I write for Seiron, an opinion column of the Sankei Shimbun newspaper. This time I wrote about the newspaper editorial since we are in the Newspaper Week. I submitted my article giving it somewhat a provocative heading, �gWho reads newspaper editorials?�h The newspaper replaced it with one that lacks drive, albeit quoting from my conclusion, �gFor an empowering editorial that everyone wants to read.�h The contents have not been changed so please read on. Incidentally, Mr. Toshio Asakura, a former Yomiuri Shimbun editorial committee chairman presented me with a copy of �gRonsetsu nyumon (An introduction to editorials)�h published by Chuko Shinsho (720 yen plus tax). I recommend reading it. Seiron: For an empowering editorial everyone wants to read The Sankei Shimbun, Morning paper, Tokyo, October 14, 2011 I love reading newspapers. Every morning I look forward to finding them in my paper slot. I am devastated when it is a newspaper holiday, and there is no paper. Friends in newspaper companies complain that both readers and advertisers are on the decline, not to say of the disinterest of the young readers. With floods of rabid types of news and our uncertain future, however, the role of newspaper is growing. It is only newspapers that can send necessary daily information in a most appropriate manner on such things as what is correct information and what issues must be addressed. Arouse citizens by signing writer�fs name Newspaper has two missions, of reporting news and offering criticism. When political scene is as confusing as it is today and people�fs sense of uncertainty and their exasperation is rapidly growing, newspaper should arouse citizens to voice their opinions as to what needs to be done and how we should live. In other words, newspapers are expected to awaken citizens (yoron), not just report on what is considered majority opinion (seron). The responsibility lies with the editorial, for the Sankei, shucho or opinion. Today there are more editorials, compared with the past, that actively raise issues on fiscal rebuilding, nuclear power and security. They are, however, only a small effort compared to the role expected of newspaper as a public medium. My friends at newspapers point out editorials represent no more than �gopinions of the paper�h or �ga corporate discourse�h and the content is decided by mutual consent of the editorial committee members. Newspapers are read by indefinite majority, in other words, by people with various views, and must live up to almost unrealizable ideals of fairness, neutrality and impartiality. With these assumptions any discussion among a number of people must result in risk-free abstraction acceptable by the majority. While the content is consulted, it is after all an individual who writes the editorial article. The writer should identify self, and directly face readers and have the mettle to handle criticisms. This spirit is enshrined in newspapers�f standard of ethics as a �grefusal to curry favor with the masses,�h in order to strike, when necessary, a warning knell. I am prepared to accept criticism for providing an irresponsible statement as an amateur, but I long for courageous newspapers to emerge. Politics in Japan recently has taken a turn to populism reacting sharply to reported rates of popularity of government and political parties. This means media has large impact as well as responsibilities. As I read the editorials of different papers, they are conspicuously harmless and inoffensive. They avoid complications, and whitewash articles so that they do not convey any sense of urgency or seriousness. Minority opinions have advanced society Trend is further clear as regards to editorials written regarding overseas developments. To cite one example of the Middle East situation that is commanding worldwide attention today, I come across editorial titles such as �gMr. Kaddafi should step down, immediately stop fighting for the reconstruction of Libya�h and �gPresident Assad should immediately stop the use of armed force.�h They are right of course, but whom are they writing for? One may say they are even comical in their self-righteousness. Saiichi Maruya, even wrote as far as to say in his long-running novel �gOnna-zakari (A mature woman)�h featuring female newspaper editorial writer, �gthat editorials are rarely read. In fact there is a view that they are read only by the number of all editorial writers put together.�h While this is a story out of the novel, the state of the editorial article seems to have changed little since its publication twenty odd years ago. Readers look for sharp and convincing views. Boldly raising issues, making suggestions are power that moves an era. Yukichi Fukuzawa, in his �gBunmeiron no gairyaku (An Outline of a Theory)�h published over a century ago, wrote �gthe culture of freedom exists only when there are as many opinions as there are issues�h and that �gsince ancient times the progress of civilization started with views that were at first considered a fallacy or heretical.�h This has not changed down the ages. Products that lack attractiveness decline I understand that newspapers must appear to be objective in their reporting. In the case of election reportage, however, just copying soothing political party manifesto cannot be said to be objective reporting. Editorials must actively make suggestions after correctly pointing out relevant issues, such as their feasibility. Newspaper companies have the ability to investigate and analyze, and the outcome important materials for voters to make their decision in placing a ballot. There is no meaning to criticize after the election that the manifesto was nothing more than pork-barrel policies without the backing of financial resources. I suspect that the editorial writers may well have given up their works being read. In �gOnna-zakari (A mature woman)�h the heroine muses, �gI have no intention to actively deliberate on major issues of Japan and the world, but since no one reads it, it really does not matter�c�h Editorials that lack depth and are non-committal, not only betray readers�f expectation, it also results in wasting limited space. Newspapers are not exceptions. They too will decline if they lack attractiveness. Before complaining of the decline of readership, most compelling reasons must be found on this single issue. I have learned that Nihon Shinbun Kyokai (Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association) has adopted a slogan for the newspaper week that begins October 15th, �gThere are uplifting articles that empower.�h Citizens are encouraged by free and lively discussion by scholars and mavericks. I earnestly hope newspaper editorials outgrow the present state of �gthose no one reads�h to �gthose everyone wants to read�h and to becoming �geditorials that empower�h.