Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama poses with participants at the JAPAN Forward reception, including Editor-in-Chief Yasuo Naito and reporter Daniel Manning. (©Sankei by Ikue Mio)
On December 3, JAPAN Forward hosted a reception in Tokyo to unveil a new strategy for its next phase as a growing media platform. About 100 guests attended, including supporters of its affiliated site, Japan 2 Earth, which focuses on the environment and sustainability, as well as representatives from partner companies and local governments. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama attended as the guest of honor, with participants rallying around the shared slogan of building a strong Japan.
A Vision for Global Stability
Hideaki Ota, Representative Director of the JAPAN Forward association, reflected on the platform's founding nine years ago. "I launched JAPAN Forward with the dream that if people around the world could truly understand and trust Japan as it is, that would contribute to global stability," he said.
Through daily English-language reporting on topics ranging from national security and history issues to entertainment and advanced technology, Ota noted that JAPAN Forward has earned recognition even in Washington.
As the platform approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, he added, "Our goal is to grow into a media that contributes to global stability by helping to build a prosperous Japan that nations across Asia can depend on."
Tetsuji Kondo, President of The Sankei Shimbun, also stressed the importance of communicating Japan's reality in English amid today's global environment. "JAPAN Forward plays a vital role, and I have high expectations for its continued growth. We are fully committed to supporting its efforts," he said.
Building a Strong Japan
Finance Minister Katayama took the stage to congratulate JAPAN Forward on its progress. She began by outlining the government's fiscal policy, saying, "The supplementary budget now stands at approximately ¥18 trillion JPY, the highest level of active fiscal spending since the COVID-19 pandemic."
She continued, "This is not excessive spending. These are necessary investments in crisis preparedness and economic growth to strengthen Japan's economy."
Highlighting key priorities such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and particularly the maritime sector, she continued, "We are ready to compete. Investment in growth and risk management is the first step toward building a strong Japan, an approach unprecedented under previous administrations."
Declaring that "Japan will become a country worthy of investment," she concluded, "JAPAN Forward is a core conservative media platform driving Japan forward. I hope we can build a strong Japan together."
Next, a member of the platform's strategy team reported on the organization's 2025 achievements. He cited the production of 149 videos that generated a combined 780,000 views and more than 22,500 hours of watch time across social media and video platforms. The team also unveiled new initiatives, including the launch of Corporate Playbook, a video series by popular novelist and lawyer Shin Ushijima, and Ignite, a project supporting high school students in expressing themselves in English.
JAPAN Forward has also expanded its coverage of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in collaboration with the American conservative think tank Hudson Institute. Its video podcast program, Tokyo Outpost, was introduced as well, featuring interviews with prominent figures such as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.
From Security to Soft Power
Beyond national security, JAPAN Forward actively shares content across a broad range of fields, including culture and soft power, with features on brands such as the Japanese sake brand Dassai.
The news site now draws audiences from around the world, particularly from India and the United States, as well as Japan. About a quarter of its readers are between the ages of 25 and 34, underscoring the platform's strong appeal to younger generations.
Editor-in-Chief Yasuo Naito concluded by reaffirming the organization's commitment to progress. "As a media platform, we continue to evolve. As we approach our 10th anniversary next year [2026], we are determined to take an even greater step forward and contribute to building a strong Japan," he said.
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Author: JAPAN Forward
