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Yoshibumi Wakamiya

わかみや よしぶみ

wakamiya yoshibumi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-01-16 （Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2016-04-28 （Beijing, China） age 68
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan → Seoul, South Korea (study/visits) → Washington, D.C., USA (visiting researcher)

Career

Occupations
journalist, columnist
Active Years
1970-2016
Affiliations
Asahi Shimbun, Brookings Institution (visiting researcher), University of Tokyo (visiting professor), Keio University (visiting professor), Ryukoku University (visiting professor), Dongseo/Tongse University (visiting/appointed professor), Seoul National University, Institute of Japanese Studies (visiting researcher)

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Law / Faculty of Law
Period: 1966-1970
Year of Graduation: 1970
Country: Japan

Awards

Ishibashi Tanzan Prize
2015
Work: Postwar 70 Years: The Conservative View of Asia
Organization: Toyo Keizai Inc.
Result: 受賞
Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Heungin Medal)
2016
Organization: Government of the Republic of Korea
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Reportage: Modern Discriminated Communities

1988 non-fiction

A long-form reportage on discriminated communities in Japan, based on on-site reporting about discrimination and daily life.

social issuesdiscriminationreportage

Fighting Editorials: 2000 Days in Asahi's Editorial Room

2008 essay / non-fiction

A memoir-style account of editorial policy and the process of producing editorials at the Asahi Shimbun.

media historyreportingeditorials

The Newspaper Reporter: Recording Contemporary History

2013 non-fiction

Reflections on journalistic practice and recording contemporary history.

journalismcontemporary history

Postwar 70 Years: Conservative View of Asia

2014 essays / criticism

An analysis of postwar conservative views toward Asia, discussing Japan-China-Korea relations and historical perceptions. Awarded the Ishibashi Tanzan Prize.

Japan–China–Korea relationshistorical perceptionconservative thought

With the National Anthem in the Right Hand, the Constitution in the Left: Japan's Drifting Politics

2007 essays / criticism

A collection of columns on politics, the constitution, and media commentary.

constitutionpolitical commentarymedia

Bibliography

  • The New Liberal Club: Challenges and Prospects of the Conservative Opposition
  • Reportage: Modern Discriminated Communities
  • Unforgettable Parliamentary Debates: From Rearmament to Pollution
  • The Postwar Conservative View of Asia
  • Reconciliation and Nationalism: Revised Conservative View of Postwar Asia
  • With the National Anthem in the Right Hand, the Constitution in the Left
  • Fighting Editorials: 2000 Days in Asahi's Editorial Room
  • The Newspaper Reporter: Recording Contemporary History
  • Postwar 70 Years: The Conservative View of Asia
  • Creating the Japan–Korea Future: Dialogue with Korean Intellectuals I

Style & Themes

Literary Style
editorial toneanalyticalexpository
Recurring Motifs
Japan–China–Korea relationsreconciliationpostwar responsibilityjournalism

Legacy

He led editorial policy at the Asahi Shimbun for many years and contributed to promoting understanding among Japan, China and Korea and to the field of journalism. His works on politics, diplomacy and media remain important references; he won the Ishibashi Tanzan Prize for 'Postwar 70 Years: The Conservative View of Asia' and was awarded a Korean diplomatic order posthumously.

Quotes

  • Keep a flexible mind, but be pointed when you must speak up.
    Source: Asahi Shimbun (article / recollection) (2016)

Trivia

  • In April 2016 he was found dead in his hotel in Beijing while attending a trilateral symposium.
  • Reports in 2012 alleged issues over travel expenses during his time at Asahi; he reportedly repaid the amounts in question.
  • In 2016 he was awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Heungin) by the South Korean government; the decoration was received by his wife.