Best of 2024 EDITORIALS: Chinese Influence, Same-Sex-Marriage and Whaling

It was a year of transformation. In 2024, change was everywhere, from Japanese politics and international security to daily life. Thanks to you, our valued readers, our weekday editorials column also reached new milestones in popularity in 2024. In our editorials, we shared the best of Japan's varied perspectives on some of the biggest social, political and economic issues the country grappled with during the year.

As 2024 comes to a close, we look at the daily editorials that you and your fellow readers gravitated to most. Read on to find out in reverse order, which was number one.

Once again, thanks for following JAPAN Forward!

Top Stories 5-1 from our EDITORIAL series:

*Sekobune whaling ships from a diorama owned by the Taiji Whaling Museum.*

5. China People's Congress Seals Xi Jinping's Dictatorship

Published: March 18, 2024

By: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

The 2024 National Peoples Congress of China reaffirmed the Chinese Communist Party's control over all aspects of the government to prioritize security over the economy.

Read the full story.

4. China Anti-Secession Law Targets Not Only Taiwan Citizens

Published: July 22, 2024

By: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

In June, China announced that the death penalty could be applied to vaguely defined "Taiwan independence activists," including foreigners who support Taiwan. What does that mean for tourists and business travelers?

Read the full story.

3. For Better English Teaching, Learn from Fukui, Saitama Models

Published: June 6, 2024

By: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

Nearly all Japanese study English, but not all teaching is the same. The Ministry of Education needs to broadly share the English teaching methods of successful regions like Fukui and Saitama, as well as seriously focus on bringing up the national skill level of language learning.

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2. New Same-Sex Marriage Court Decision Defies Constitution, Family

Published: November 8, 2024

By: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

The editorial board argued the court's same-sex marriage ruling should be condemned. Prejudice should be eliminated, it said. However, the traditional nature of marriage and family must be protected.

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1. France Protects Anti-whaling 'Activist' Engaged in Terrorist Activities

Finally, the editorial that drew more attention than any other grappled with the issue of Japanese whaling and foreign protests.

Published: August 12, 2024

By: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

President Emmanuel Macron opposed the extradition of the Sea Shepherd founder. Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland on an international warrant for disruptive activities and causing injury to Japanese researchers and research whaling vessels.

Read the full story.

Thank you for following JAPAN Forward's editorials during 2024. What will be the debates in 2025? Be sure to follow us throughout the year on LinkedIn, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to participate in the discussion.