A fearless reporter battle with the elite and powerful in this new Japanese Netflix’s series released this year. Directed by the prominent Michihito Fuji, who also directed a movie with the same title in the year 2019, The Journalist is an investigative thriller drama based on a government scandal and subsequent cover up. One of the unique qualities of this show is the depiction of impacts on the state of mind of the various characters in it. Anna Matsuda, who is the protagonist, of Touto News is one of the few journalists left who instead of pushing the narrative of the government try to question it. The media of Japan is shown compromising the ethics of journalism in order to continue its relationship with powerful figures in the government. The show starts with Anna Matsuda’s character being assigned to a case which involves the sale of a public land below the market rate to an elite organisation called Eishin Academy. Known for her stubborn behavior, the audience gets to witness the resolve of Matsuda who tries to give voice to the marginalized irrespective of consequences to her career.
Shinichi Murakami, one of the characters, is an assistant of wife of the Prime Minister. He meets with the Finance General for the purpose of a land deal and says that the Prime Minister wants the Finance General’s Office to reduce its price. However, in the parliament the PM denies about any involvement in the land deal when word of it gets out in . The development causes panic in the government as it is the First Lady who insisted that this deal must be approved. Subsequently, Chubu Local Finance Bureau is given the task of not letting the corruption scandal be traced to the PM and First Lady. In the meantime, Murakami is transferred to the Central Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO), an institution where public is put under surveillance and given the job of uncovering those who leaked the story. Kazuya Suzuki is an employee of Finance Bureau who also happened to be a whistle-blower and throughout the show we see his character struggling with his moral beliefs as he have to attend a secret meeting where orders are given to change the incriminating documents. The character development of Ryo Kinoshita, who is an apolitical college student despite working as a newspaper delivery boy, is another striking aspect of The Journalist as the protagonist Matsuda’s work and Eishin Academy land scandal change his outlook.
A good trait of this show is the connection among the characters and how one’s actions have repercussions on the other. For instance, Matsuda’s reporting led to Ryo’s who barely have an interest in political issues drawn more toward them. What keeps the story interesting are various characters, each of whom are indispensable part of the amazing story. Usually, political investigative dramas don’t intrigue many but what sets The Journalist aside is its mature screenplay.A sense of satisfaction is felt in the end when justice is served although it takes time just like in real life. The narrative is relatable because corruption scandal is a universal occurrence so regardless of culture or ethnicity anyone can enjoy the Japanese show.
