Today is the third anniversary of Japanâs devastating earthquake and tsunami. At the moment the earthquake hit, at 2:46pm, Japanese television networks paused to remember the deceased. That is, all except one, which showed Alien: Resurrection, instead.
Over 15,800 died in the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Over 2,600 went unaccounted for. Areas impacted are still recovering. This is serious, sad stuff.
So, if you were in Tokyo and flipping the channels, youâd see people bowing their heads in prayer on, well, pretty much every channel. As noted by 2ch, it looked something like this:
TV Asahi.
NHK.
Fuji TV.
TBS.
Nippon TV.
TV Tokyo.
Many in Japan seem miffed by TV Tokyo. Others are amused. The network, which shows a wide variety of shows, is perhaps best known for its anime programming, which is quite solid. That, the network appears to care about. Everything else? Meh! And I do mean pretty much everything.
Online in Japan, a meme image is circulating on bulletin boards summing this in a single image:
You might say, well, this is a good break from the heavy, perhaps depressing coverage on the other networks. I might agree with you if I didnât know anything about TV Tokyo.
For years now (decades, even!), TV Tokyo has constantly not reported big important news as it broke. In Japanese, this is referred to as âThe Legend of TV Tokyoâ (TV Tokyo Densetsu or ăăŹăæ±äșŹäŒèȘŹ).
Big news like political elections, resignations, or scandals. Other channels interrupt their variety shows, talk shows, and cartoons. See if you can spot TV Tokyo!
Foreign politics also get the TV Tokyo shrug:
Okay, well, maybe this is good for those who donât like politics. But surely, North Korea firing missiles over Japan would be worth interrupting TV Tokyoâs regularly scheduled programming, no?
Guess not! And itâs not like TV Tokyo doesnât have a news branchâit does. It even has newscasters stationed outside the country. Maybe itâs such a barebones operation that they canât cover stuff?
But this has been going on forever. Perhaps the thinking is that the network views itself as an option for those who donât want to know whatâs happening in Japan, whatever that is. And, no doubt, this does translate into ratings, or the network wouldnât keep doing it. But it comes off like TV Tokyo just doesnât not care. About anything.
Well, other than having a good anime lineup. But, you know, itâs not like theyâre always interrupting cool anime! Sometimes the stuff thatâs playing on TV Tokyo during important events is utter tripe.
Earthquakes and natural disasters certainly should be of interest to anyone living in Japanâif anything, to make sure they and their relatives are alright. But on TV TokyoâŠ
What about a solar eclipse? Now, that has to be better than anything on television, right?
Alright, alright. With TV Tokyo being based in, well, Tokyo, youâd think the station would switch over for the announcement that the metropolis would be hosting the 2020 Olympics.
Guess not! But look at that pricey necklace. Ladies and gents, I give you TV Tokyo, the station that doesnât give a toss.
ăăŹăȘăăăŹæ± [Hayabusa]
ăăŹăæ±äșŹäŒèȘŹ [Rakuten]
Photo: ăăăăŸăźăăżăă, Sakura, ăă„ăŒé, Denik824, ăăŹăæ±äșŹäŒèȘŹ, Wolfrandre, Stuffpoint
, Trend_Today
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft
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