I visited the "New Year Front Page Exhibition" gathering Jan 1 morning editions from 127 papers nationwide, at the Japan Press Center Building (Nagatacho, Chiyoda)—＝photo upper.
The building is funded by Mainichi and papers nationwide plus paper makers; its president is the Newspaper Association chairman—literally Japan's press hub. The 10th floor hosts the Japan National Press Club; though not used for this governor's race, joint party-leader press conferences happen at general elections, plus VIP briefings from abroad.
Just newspapers lined up—but organized by region from Hokkaido to Kyushu/Okinawa, 127 papers is quite a sight. New Year front pages are each paper's "decisive edition" with scoops and flagship features—revealing what they want to say and how they see the year ahead.
Can't cover all, but I photographed some Tohoku and Okinawa front pages
—here they are. Kahoku Shimpo (Miyagi): "'70% of children still affected by disaster'—household hardship stands out" tops the page three years after the quake＝photo upper right. Iwate Nichinichi: left column "San-Tetsu (Sanriku Railway) full reopening in April" with Amachan-costumed photos; South Rias Line Kamaishi–Yoshihama (Ofunato, 15 km) Apr 5, North Rias Tanohata–Omoto (Iwaizumi, 10.5 km) Apr 6＝photo lower right. Harsh reality and bright news alike—the message from reporters
is swift recovery.
Okinawa: Ryukyu Shimpo tops with "'Agent Orange regularly sprayed'—ex-GI testimony, Yomitan 68–69," citing weed control to protect military dogs from habu＝photo upper left. Okinawa Times features Futenma halt within five years and early return: "When Japan asked the U.S. last November for cooperation, it sought a document showing U.S. willingness on operational halt, but the U.S. refused
reports＝photo lower left. Both feel uniquely Okinawan amid base woes—yet all Japanese should care.
Exhibition runs through Fri the 31st—hurry if interested.