Asahi retracts article (2)

September 12, 2014

Asahi Shimbun runs front-page apology article over retraction of 'Yoshida testimony'

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140912p2a00m0na006000c.html

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper ran an article of apology on the front page of its Sept. 12 morning edition over the retraction of reports on testimony from the late chief of the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, following a news conference given by Asahi President Tadakazu Kimura on Sept. 11.

The Asahi has retracted a May 20 article on the testimony of Masao Yoshida, chief of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant at the time of the March 2011 disaster, wherein it reported that some 90 percent of workers who were at the plant withdrew in opposition to his orders to remain at the site.

During the Sept. 11 news conference, Asahi Shimbun President Kimura admitted that the May 20 article included erroneous information, and apologized to readers and individuals associated with the matter.

It is a very rare case for the Asahi Shimbun to run an article on the front page of its newspaper regarding an issue such as the president's apology over a company scandal.

The newspaper carried a total of five pages on the matter in its Sept. 12 morning edition, including reports on self-evaluation wherein the company admitted failures in fact-checking and partially omitting testimony. An explanation was also given as to why the Asahi's apology was delayed after other media outlets pointed out the erroneous reports.

Asahi also posted the English version of the president's apology on its website.

September 12, 2014(Mainichi Japan)