Journalist Defies Convention to Establish Nonprofit Investigative Newsroom in Japan

Makoto Watanabe, the co-founder and editor in chief of the Tokyo Investigative Newsroom Tansa, has paved a new path in Japan’s media landscape following a pivotal moment that caused him to reassess the values of traditional journalism. Eleven years ago, Watanabe was part of the Asahi Shimbun, one of the country's largest newspapers, when it controversially retracted a major scoop related to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The report claimed that plant workers had abandoned their posts under duress from management, a story that later faced backlash leading to the newspaper's retraction amid pressure from government supporters and rival media.Disheartened by the incident and witnessing the dismantling of the investigative team he belonged to, which was instructed to avoid contentious narratives, Watanabe made a bold choice to leave his prestigious position. “The newspaper was more focused on maintaining its relationships with authorities rather than being truthful to its audience,” he reflected. In a landscape where job security often supersedes integrity, his departure was a rare and courageous act.Determined to create a more principled media outlet, Watanabe launched Tansa, which translates to “in-depth investigation.” Operating on a smaller scale, the nonprofit newsroom currently consists of two full-time reporters, a volunteer, and an intern, all working diligently from their modest office space in Tokyo.Despite its size, Tansa is beginning to gain prominence. It recently broke significant stories, particularly a groundbreaking investigation into the forced sterilization of mentally disabled individuals, which prompted a governmental apology and compensation for the victims. Furthermore, national broadcaster NHK has entered into an agreement to utilize some of Tansa's investigative pieces, marking a significant recognition of their work.Watanabe’s efforts represent a growing desire among journalists in Japan to challenge established norms and prioritize transparency and accountability in the media industry.