Isoko Mochizuki (Japanese: 望月 衣塑子, Mochizuki Isoko; born 1975)[1] is a Japanese newspaper journalist for Chunichi Shimbun (Tokyo Shimbun), based Nagoya.

Mochizuki is the inspiration for the film The Journalist (Japanese: Shimbun Kisha; 2019),[2] directed by Michihito Fujii and loosely based on a book of the same name by Mochizuki.[3] She stars in the documentary film Documentary of the Journalist (2019) by Tatsuya Mori.[4]

Justin McCurry wrote in The Guardian that "Mochizuki specialises in a brand of robust questioning that many regard as the stock in trade of political reporters in Britain. In Japan, though, she is a rarity in a media landscape where avoiding confrontation is often accepted as the price for continued access to important government sources."[5] In March 2019, about 600 people rallied in support of her at a protest in front of the prime minister's office.[6][7] In 2018, she co-wrote a book with former The New York Times correspondent Martin Fackler about access journalism and media independence in Japan's major newspapers.[8]

Personal life edit

Mochizuki has worked for the regional newspaper Tokyo Shimbun since 2000.[9] She has two children.[7]

Publications edit

  • Shimbun Kisha (The Journalist). Tokyo: Kadokawa, 2017. ISBN 9784040821917. In Japanese.
  • Kenryoku to Shimbun no Daimondai (The Problem of Newspapers and Power). With Martin Fackler. Tokyo: Shuseisha, 2018. ISBN 978-4-08-721037-8. In Japanese.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Speakers Profile|The 22nd International Conference for Women in Business". The 22nd International Conference for Women in Business. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  2. ^ Brasor, Philip (27 July 2019). "Aligning 'access journalism' and press freedom". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  3. ^ Hadfield, James (26 June 2019). "'The Journalist': Uncovering the dark side of Japan". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  4. ^ Hadfield, James (14 November 2019). "'i: Documentary of the Journalist': Japanese press freedom laid bare". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  5. ^ McCurry, Justin (27 December 2019). "Isoko Mochizuki, the 'troublesome' thorn in Shinzo Abe's side". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-12-27 – via www.theguardian.com.
  6. ^ Rich, Motoko (5 July 2019). "This Reporter Asks a Lot of Questions. In Japan, That Makes Her Unusual". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-27 – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ a b "Meet the Japanese reporter asking more questions 'than she is supposed to'". The Independent. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  8. ^ "Kenryoku to Shimbun no Daimondai". Shueisha. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "Japan government must not judge the relevance of press questions". Reporters Without Borders. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-27.

External links edit