Japan’s Nikkan Sports under fire again for unfortunate photo placement
Scientist Haruko Obokata has landed herself in the news not for her accomplishments, but for her “phony research.” At a press conference on Wednesday, a tearful Obokata addressed members of the press, admitting that she had falsified portions of her STAP cell research, claiming to have discovered a way to reprogram adult cells to become stem cells.
As you might expect, newspapers across Japan reported on Ms. Obokata’s confession, many of which harshly criticized her lack of integrity. But it was Nikkan Sports that dealt possibly the most humiliating blow by publishing a half-page close-up photo of Ms. Obokata’s pleading face. What’s more, the photo was placed on the front page, leading to some very unfortunate scenes in the trains and newspaper stands of Japan.
This isn’t the first time Nikkan Sports has published less than flattering photos of newsworthy people. Back in February, they ran eight of the most embarrassing photos of Olympic figure skater, Mao Asada, infuriating netizens across Japan. However, the newest controversial photo from Nikkan Sports is arguably worse due to its placement and size.
▼ The Nikkan Sports photo even prompted one netizen to create a Obokata-inspired cappuccino.
Many Japanese netizens have described Nikkan Sports’ decision to run such a large and unflattering photo in such a predominant place as “cruel” and “unforgivable.” Others who had unexpectedly encountered the photo described it as something out of a horror film.
What’s your take on the close-up? Does Ms. Obokata deserve such treatment or is this just tasteless journalism?
Source: Hamusoku ( 1 , 2 )
Featured image: Twitter ( tainokome )
