End of Broadcasting Dictator

After a series of embarrassing confusion, President of Japan Broadcasting Corporation, or NHK, Katsuto Momii, is going to step down without extension of his term. Some members of Board of Governors decided to oppose reappointing Momii after ending his term next month. It is important for NHK or Shinzo Abe administration to realize who is responsible for the appointment of him after all.

For Momii to be reappointed as President of NHK, he will need to secure nine or more approvals from all twelve members of Board of Governors. According to reports of newspapers, multiple members are negative on Momii’s reappointment. One member told that there was not any mood for requiring extension of Momii’s presidency inside the Board and another admitted that achieving nine or more approvals was extremely difficult.

At the beginning of his presidency three years ago, Momii reiterated inappropriate speeches and activities. In his first press conference as the President, Momii told that NHK would not take standpoint different from the government, inviting criticism on neutrality of public broadcasting corporation. He was warned by Board of Governors for three times when he hired luxurious car for his private golf playing.

NHK Board of Governors set five requirements for the president on October, which included political neutrality or clean and persuasive personality reliable for the people. When Momii tried to reduce subscription fee starting in next fall, Board of Governors strictly opposed with skepticism on Momii’s ability for management. Most members of the board realize that Momii is not suitable for the President.

It is reported that next President will be one of the members of Board of Governors, Ryoichi Ueda, former vice president of Mitsubishi Corporation. While the President of NHK had traditionally been appointed from employees of NHK, recent three Presidents were chosen from private companies for reforming management. Having worked as a member of the Board for three years, Ueda was picked as moderate choice for next President.

It is known that former Prime Minister, and current Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, knew well about Momii before he presided NHK and Aso was positive for picking Momii for the President. However, Momii was too unpopular even in NHK with his explicit obedience to Abe administration. Unilateral handling of the public broadcasting corporation will be denied with democratic process.