iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 15h

Stars & Stripes, the US military newspaper, has become the latest victim of Donald Trump/MAGA's war on the media because it has tried to accurately report the impact of Trump's disastrous war against Iran. My piece in No1 Shimbun: fccj.or.jp/index.php/nu...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Greenpeace says climate change is damaging key crops in Japan: Pears (Chiba); Grapes (Yamanashi); Rice (Niigata); and Sweet Potatoes (Kagoshima): "Accelerating heat waves have pushed...agricultural hubs past their thermal limits:" www.greenpeace.org/japan/wp/wp-...

greenpeace.org

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I went to Nanmoku in Gunma to ask: what happens to societies that begin to depopulate and shrink? Japan is finding out. My piece in The Irish Times: www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-p...

irishtimes.com

Japan’s disappearing village fights to avoid extinction

Some years pass without a single baby in Nanmoku. Now the mountain community is searching for a way to avoid extinction

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Japan’s minister in charge of harmoniously coexisting with foreigners seems to embody an increasingly xenophobic national mood. My piece with Karyn Nishimura. fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Tokyo’s muted response to US sanctions on its most senior international judge highlights its dependence on Washington patron. My piece in The Irish Times: www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-p...

irishtimes.com

‘Very unfortunate’: the phrase that captures Japan’s Trump dilemma

Tokyo’s muted response to US sanctions on its most senior international judge highlights its dependence on Washington

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I'll be emceeing this press conference tomorrow (Tuesday Sept 1) at noon. FCCJ pressers are open and free to attend, online or in person. You can also submit questions via the FCCJ website: Join us if you can: www.fccj.or.jp/event/press-...

fccj.or.jp

Press Conference: How Okinawa's Next Election Will Impact Japan | FCCJ

PRESS CONFERENCEHow Okinawa's Next Election Will Impact JapanNaomi Machida, Head of Ginowan Churamizu Environmental GroupTakamatsu Gushiken, Head of Gamafuya Group Recovering War Remains12:00-13:00 Tu...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Kimi Onoda, Minister in charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, has repeatedly declined invitations to take questions on her policies regarding foreigners in Japan from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

We interviewed Hikari, the junior prosecutor who says she was raped by her boss, the head of the Osaka Public Prosecutor’s Office: apjjf.org/2026/8/mcnei...

apjjf.org

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

August No1 Shimbun includes my interview with Akito Tanaka, chief editor of Nikkei Asia; Eric Johnston on an innovative approach to investigative journalism in Japan, and Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia Journalism School, on why AI won't destroy reporting: www.fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

fccj.or.jp

Number 1 shimbun | FCCJ

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ) is one of the world leading press clubs, providing a forum for journalists and public figures in Tokyo.

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Reposted by David McNeill

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I'm not qualified to judge whether such people are psychopaths. All I can say is that they behave as if they are. From today's Telegraph.

Column by Allister Heath

Britain can’t stop climate change. Scrap net zero and embrace Mediterranean life

We’ve lost the war against global warming so let’s learn to handle hotter weather

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I've temporarily taken on editing No1 Shimbun, the house magazine of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. On the cover is Dong Yuyu, a former editor at Chinese newspaper the Guangming Daily, who was arrested while meeting a Japanese diplomat in 2022. fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

We hosted our annual Freedom of the Press Awards at the FCCJ last night: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-K6.... Japan Honorable Mention: Yasuda natsuki Japan Award: Hokkaido Shimbun Asia Honorable Mention: Frenchie Mae Cumpio Asia Award: Dong Yuyu Lifetime Achievement: Gwen Robinson

youtube.com

Freedom of Press Awards Ceremony 2026, May 28, 2026

YouTube video by 日本外国特派員協会オフィシャルサイトFCCJchannel

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Fierce Survivor: my interview with Shiori Ito: "One of my friends gave me a knife-proof tank top and I wore that whenever I had to go on stage. People threatened me, online mainly. Verbally, too – negative nasty things." apjjf.org/2026/5/mcneill

apjjf.org

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Justin McCurry and I wrote this month's cover story for No1 Shimbun, the house magazine of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, on Israel's relentless, murderous war against journalists: fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

fccj.or.jp

Sitting ducks | FCCJ

May 2026 | Cover story Demands for action are growing as Israeli forces continue to kill journalists in Gaza and Lebanon In October 2024, journalist Fatima Ftouni narrowly escaped death when an Israel...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Lots of discussion about the fact that a uniformed SDF member sang the kimigao at LDP convention on April 12. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi says it was not illegal. The US bans uniformed personnel from appearing at political rallies. Ditto UK. questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques....

questions-statements.parliament.uk

Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

FCCJ presser *tomorrow *about a lawsuit against police by family of engineer falsely arrested on suspicion of exporting equipment to fabricate biological weapons. Despite being treated for cancer at the time, the man was denied bail and died in custody: www.fccj.or.jp/event/press-...

fccj.or.jp

Press Conference: “Hostage Justice” in the Dock by Takashi Takano & Kazuto Aishima | FCCJ

PRESS CONFERENCE“Hostage Justice” in the DockTakashi Takano, Attorney, Okawara Kakohki CaseKazuto Aishima, Plaintiff, Eldest son of the late Shizuo Aishima10:30-11:30 Wednesday, April 15, 2026The spee...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Nearly 500 elderly Japanese people killed from 2006 - 2024 as a result of murder or abuse by family members or relatives who had been caring for them. "This is just the tip of the iceberg and strengthening support is urgently needed." mainichi.jp/english/arti...?

mainichi.jp

Nearly 500 elderly killed by family caregivers in Japan in FY 2006-2024 - The Mainichi

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A recent analysis of a government report showed that nearly 500 people aged 65 and older died between fiscal 2006 and 2024 as a resul

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Following Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages, I explain that the long history of bloody US bombing campaigns began over Japanese cities during second World War: www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-p...

irishtimes.com

Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran ‘back to the Stone Ages’ resonates profoundly in Japan

Long history of bloody US bombing campaigns began over Japanese cities during second World War

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Number of foreign residents in Japan, which has topped 4 million for the first time, is making headlines here, but that's just 3.5% of the total population. In my native Ireland it is 23.3%; Austria (22.5%), Sweden (20.8%); Germany (20.5%), France (14%). www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03...?

japantimes.co.jp

Japan's foreign resident population hits record 4.12 million

The figure is a 9.5% increase from a year earlier, the Immigration Services Agency said Friday.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

No Kings Day demo this Saturday in Tokyo. 東京でもNo Kings Dayデモが土曜日に企画されていると聞きました。 East exit at Shimokitazawa Station 2:30 PM on Saturday 土曜日午後2時半に下北沢駅だそうです。 www.meetup.com/ja-jp/democr...

meetup.com

No Tyrant's Day (same day as No Kings in the US), 2026年3月28日(土) 14:15 | Meetup

Come out to protest against the Trump Administration with other US citizens at the No Tyrant's Day Event sponsored by the Democrats Abroad Japan, Kanto Chapter. We will be

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The number of measles cases in Tokyo this year is already equal to the total for the whole of 2025. "Since Japan's WHO designation as a country where the measles has been eliminated, most infections have involved people who recently traveled overseas." mainichi.jp/english/arti...

mainichi.jp

Measles cases in Tokyo rise sharply, matching last year's total by mid-March - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- Reported measles cases in the Japanese capital have increased rapidly this year, reaching 34 as of March 17 -- already equal to the total for

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

The Committee to Protect Journalists interviewed 58 Palestinian journalists detained by Israel; all but 1 described torture, abuse, and violence. CPJ’s 2025 Prison Census found that Israel has been listed as a top jailer of journalists since 2023: cpj.org/special-repo...

cpj.org

‘We returned from hell’: Palestinian journalists recount torture in Israeli prisons - Committee to Protect Journalists

Content warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of physical, psychological, and sexual violence. Palestinian journalist Ahmed Abdel Aal remembers the moment the ear-splitting music started...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Possibly the tallest panel in the FCCJ's history. I was the shortest speaker at 184cm, dwarfed by the towering physical and intellectual heft of Messers McClure, Horynak and Lloyd-Parry. www.fccj.or.jp/club-news-mu...

fccj.or.jp

News & Multimedia | FCCJ

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Reposted by David McNeill

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record. Meanwhile, Meta is pumping $65 million into elections this year to boost AI friendly candidates. Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy. Big Money is the root of our dysfunction.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

The US Dept. of Defense is saying it will keep using the Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, despite agreeing to return it to Japan once a new base is built off the coast of Henoko in Nago. It says the Henoko runway is 1,000 meters shorter than Futenma: ryukyushimpo.jp/editorial/en...

ryukyushimpo.jp

＜社説＞米「普天間返還せず」　新基地では解決できない

第104代首相に高市早苗氏が選出された。女性首相誕生の歴史的意義を評価したい。党内タカ派と目される高市氏の就任には懸念もある。

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

The University of Tokyo seems to be one of the few major higher-ed institutions left in Japan that has political clubs.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

100% this by Feral Keane: "We live in the age of deification of super wealth, the rise of a class of oligarchs who see the media they own as a corporate tool whose influence is to be traded for political favours. This is the great fight we must engage in" www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...

irishtimes.com

Fergal Keane: veteran Irish foreign correspondent leaves BBC after 37 years

Threats to a free press from oligarchs are now greater than ever, warns journalist as he departs reporting role

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

I talked on the radio about over-tourism and the cancelation of a sakura festival near Mt Fuji. Might be thought of as a classic case of 'be careful what you wish for'. www.newstalk.com/podcasts/cla...

newstalk.com

Japan cancels its iconic cherry blossom festival | Newstalk

A city in Japan has officially cancelled its iconic cherry blossom festival, citing a crisis cau...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

The LDP won 21m votes, roughly one-in-five adults. Hardly needs saying that many Japanese oppose the party and its policies 自民 2103万票(36.7%) 中道 1044万票(18.2%) 国民 557万票 (9.7%) 維新 494万票 (8.6%) 参政 426万票 (7.4%) みら 381万票 (6.7%) 共産 252万票 (4.4%) れ新 167万票 (2.9%) 保守 146万票 (2.5%) 減税 81万票 (1.4%) 社民 73万票 (1.3%)

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

"Japan had 3.96 million resident aliens, an 1.8-fold increase a decade. According to the National Police Agency, over the past 15 years, the number of crimes committed by foreigners has alternated between slight declines and slight increases." Damn statistics! japantoday.com/category/fea...

japantoday.com

As election day nears, magazine takes objective look at Japan's alleged 'foreigner problem'

With immigration-related matters taken up by many of Japan's political parties during the current campaign, the cover story in Newsweek Japan (Jan 27), titled "An in-depth look into the 'foreigne...

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Despite a calibrated burst of nationalist fury from China, Takaichi has declined to back down. Officially, Japan still recognizes the one-China policy of 1972, which acknowledges but not explicitly accept, Beijing’s claim over Taiwan: My piece in The Irish Times: www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-p...?

irishtimes.com

Last of Japan’s pandas leave for China as ties fray

Departure of Tokyo zoo’s main attraction marks the end of a diplomatic tradition – and highlights growing military rivalry and tensions over Taiwan

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Reposted by David McNeill

Ilhan Omar @ilhanmn.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Deporting children with cancer. Using a 5-year-old as bait. Shooting moms. ICE is beyond reform. And today the House is voting to bankroll more terror. Hell no.

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David McNeill @davidamcneill.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Eric Nyari, the producer of Black Box Diaries, noted that even before a controversial intervention last year by Shiori Ito's laywers, the documentary was being blackballed at home. My piece on Shiori Ito's FCCJ press conference: fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

fccj.or.jp

A matter of survival | FCCJ

January 2026 | Black Box Diaries Shiori Ito answers her critics at bad-tempered Black Box Diaries screening Shiori Ito at the FCCJ in December

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