Makoto Watanabe's career took a decisive turn when he left one of Japan's leading newspapers, the Asahi Shimbun, following its controversial retraction of a critical story regarding the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The 2014 investigation claimed that plant workers had defied orders to evacuate, a narrative that sparked backlash from both other media and government officials. After initially defending the piece, the Asahi ultimately opted to retract the story, a move that not only disappointed Watanabe but also led to significant cuts in the paper's investigative division.
In a bold move uncommon in Japan, Watanabe, now 50, quit the esteemed paper. "The newspaper was more committed to safeguarding its connections than serving the public interest," he noted. Driven by a vision for integrity in journalism, he founded Japan’s first media nonprofit focused on investigative reporting, the Tokyo Investigative Newsroom Tansa.
Eight years since its inception, Tansa operates with a lean team—a mere two full-time reporters, a volunteer, and an intern—working out of a modest setup in a Tokyo office. Despite its size, the nonprofit is beginning to make significant strides. In the past year, it produced a groundbreaking series shedding light on the long-overlooked issue of forced sterilizations of individuals with mental disabilities—a revelation that prompted an official government apology and new legislation for compensating victims. Additionally, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK has begun collaborating with Tansa for content, showcasing the nonprofit’s growing influence in a landscape traditionally dominated by larger media entities.
Watanabe’s efforts are a testament to the emerging trend of independent journalism in Japan, as he strives to create a platform that not only informs but holds those in power accountable.
