Katsuto Momii, new boss of Japan's NHK, manages to upset everybody
Japan's broadcasting chief has nailed his nationalist colours to the mast, prompting many to ask if he is right man to steer nation's answer to BBC
Named in late December as the new president of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, known as NHK, he officially took over from his predecessor on January 25, and immediately triggered a diplomatic storm.
In a press conference set up to introduce the corporation's new head, the 70-year-old Momii began with a prepared statement. "I will do my very best to provide you with fair, impartial and accurate news coverage and high-quality programming of all kinds," he said.
Formerly an adviser to information technology company Nihon Unisys, Momii tried to play down concerns over his lack of experience in broadcasting.
"I believe that my experience, including working overseas and knowledge from my career in the IT industry, will help NHK to fulfil its role as a public broadcaster."
After that fairly promising opening, things went rapidly downhill as he attempted to answer questions from assembled journalists, who quickly sensed their subject was going to be utterly frank about the "fair, impartial and accurate" coverage that the national broadcaster would be providing.