Naoki Hyakuta

Naoki Hyakuta
百田 尚樹
Born Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan
Occupation Novelist
Nationality Japanese

Naoki Hyukata (百田 尚樹 Hyakuta Naoki, born February 23, 1956) is a Japanese author and screenwriter. He is particularly known for his 2006 novel The Eternal Zero, which became a popular 2013 film,[1] his controversial period as a governor of government broadcaster NHK, as well as his nationalistic comments denying that the Nanking Massacre ever happened.[2]

Writing career

Hyakuta has written a number of books. Several have been turned into films, such as Bokkusu and Monsuta.

The Eternal Zero

In 2006 Hyakuta's novel "The Eternal Zero" was published. It became a best-seller, with four million copies sold.[3] It was made into a popular 2013 movie.[4] The novel was criticised by famed Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki as being "a pack of lies" about the war,[5] leading to Hyakuta speculating that Miyazaki "wasn't right in the head".[6]

As NHK governor

In 2013 Hyakuta was selected by Shinzō Abe as one of 12 members of the board of governors of Japan's national broadcaster, NHK, in 2013. This came after the re-election of the Liberal Democratic Party led by Abe. Hyukata had supported in his bid to re-assume leadership of the LDP the previous year. The selection of Hyakuta as an NHK governor caused some criticism,[7] but the diet approved Hyakuta's appointment in November 2013,[8][9] His historical views denying the Nanking Massacre sparked extended controversy[10][11] after his speech in support of Toshio Tamogami's bid for the Tokyo governorship in 2014 bought renewed attention to his rightist views.[12][13] He resigned as a governor in 2015.[14]

Historical views

During a speech on March 3, 2014, in support of Toshio Tamogami's bid for the governorship of Tokyo, Hyakuta stated that the Nanking Massacre "never happened", and stated that the Tokyo War Crimes Trials were a "sham" to cover up US war crimes such as firebombing and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He also stated that he didn't see a need to teach such things to children, as they should be taught what a great country Japan is.[15] He said that claims about the Nanking massacre were bought up at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunals only to cancel out the crimes the US had committed.[16] A press officer at the US embassy in Tokyo described these views as "preposterous".[17][18]

In 2014 as an NHK governor he claimed that it was wrong to state that ethnic Koreans were forcibly brought to Japan during the Japanese colonial period.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Lee, Maggie Film Review: ‘The Eternal Zero’ April 12, 2014 Variety Retrieved March 29, 2016
  2. ↑ Schilling, Mark Debate still rages over Abe-endorsed WWII drama February 20, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 30, 2016
  3. ↑ Eternal Zero claims number one spot in Japan December 24, 2013 Retrieved March 30, 2016
  4. ↑ Mission accomplished? A film about kamikaze pilots gives a worrying boost to nationalists March 1st, 2014 The Economist Retrieved March 30, 2016
  5. ↑ Schilling Flights of fancy - box office smash The Eternal Zero reopens old wounds in Japan with its take on wartime kamikaze pilots May 11, 2014 South China Morning Post Retrieved March 30, 2016
  6. ↑ Author Naoki Hyakuta Thinks Hayao Miyazaki's Got a Few Screws Loose November 18, 2014 Anime News Network
  7. ↑ Mr. Abe stacking the deck at NHK November 6, 2013 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  8. ↑ Diet OKs Abe-linked NHK board picks, raising specter of potential bias November 10, 2013 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  9. ↑ NHK president says he will step down in January December 6, 2013 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  10. ↑ Senior NHK manager’s denial of Nanjing Massacre not a problem: Suga February 4, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  11. ↑ Yoshida, Reijii NHK governors reveal rightist views: Praise of nationalist 'martyr,' denial of Nanjing Massacre roil broadcaster February 5, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  12. ↑ Mie, Ayako Tamogami finds right-wing niche: Message may also be reaching younger voters February 5, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  13. ↑ NHK’s credibility at stake February 7, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  14. ↑ Nanking Massacre denier Hyakuta to resign NHK governorship in February January 31, 2016 The Japan Times Retrieved March 29, 2016
  15. ↑ Tiezzi, Sharon NHK Governor: Nanjing Massacre ‘Never Happened’ February 7, 2014 Retrieved March 30, 2016
  16. ↑ NHK governor campaigns for revisionist in Tokyo election February 4, 2014 Asahi Shimbun Retrieved March 30, 2016
  17. ↑ U.S. raps board member’s remark on Tokyo Tribunal February 8, 2014 The Japan Times Retrieved March 30, 2016
  18. ↑ Hyakuta’s Nanjing denial prompts chilly response from U.S. Embassy: sources February 15, 2014 Retrieved March 30, 2016
  19. ↑ Kingston, JeffAre forces of darkness gathering in Japan? May 16, 2015 The Japan Times Retrieved March 30, 2016
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