Asahi Shimbun Wins Association Award at Newspaper Conference for Series of Special Reports on Japan Post
The Asahi Shimbun Company Press Release: October 15, 2025 Asahi Shimbun Wins Association Award at Newspaper Conference for Series of Special Reports on Japan Post “We received a lot of information, which will help us in our next report,” says Editorial Committee Member Shinya Sawa in his acceptance speech. The Asahi Shimbun Company (President and CEO: Masaru Tsunoda) received the Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award at the 78th Newspaper Convention (sponsored by the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association) held in Tokyo on the 15th for its “series of special reports on Japan Post’s unreasonably high penalties and inappropriate roll calls.” This marks the second consecutive year that Asahi Shimbun has received the award, following its 2024 “series of scoops and related reporting on the LDP faction’s slush fund scandal.” This marks its fourth time in the past five years.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/9214/2004/9214-2004-f788cd89433461bd92bd043956bca990-1302×2700.jpg January 6, 2025, Front Page of the Morning Edition: Special Report: Japan Post’s Collection of Penalties from Contractors Determined to be Illegal by the Japan Fair Trade Commission “Investigative reporting that uncovered widespread corruption at a major public utility and contributed to its correction.” The reasons for the award announced by the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association are as follows: In its morning edition dated January 6, 2025, the Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan Post’s collection of penalties from contractors had been found illegal by the Japan Fair Trade Commission. A follow-up report revealed that the legal roll calls to check whether or not drivers had been drinking were not being properly conducted when delivering packages by vehicle. The penalty standards, which had not been improved for six months even after guidance from the Japan Fair Trade Commission, were revised following a request for coverage. Regarding the issue of improper roll calls, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism revoked the company’s
transportation business license and banned the use of trucks and other vehicles for five years. These reports had a major impact on society. This investigative report was highly praised for uncovering rampant corruption at a huge public utility that is deeply connected to people’s lives and contributing to its correction. It is worthy of the Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association Award. Asahi Shimbun’s “Postal Fraud” Special Feature Page We’ve compiled 40 related news articles about the “postal fraud” that was revealed through Asahi Shimbun’s investigative reporting, as well as “Explanatory Commentary” videos in which reporters explain the issue.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/9214/2004/9214-2004-5b9e2f9f66625747b75052d2c5128600-561×639.png Shinya Sawa / Editorial Committee member We received countless messages. Sawa Shinya, an editorial committee member, was at the center of the award-winning Japan Post reporting team in the Social Affairs Department. He reflected on the coverage as follows: It all started two years ago, in the summer of 2023. The post office was imposing “fines” on its subcontractors. It took a year and a half from the time we first got that information. The series of reports began with an article in the morning edition of January 6th of this year titled “Japan Post Demands Penalty from Subcontractor.” From the initial report, we asked our readers in both our print and digital editions for information, and received countless responses. Not only from contractors, but also from postal workers across the country. We traveled all over the country, carefully listening to the “voiceless voices.” In this case, reporting led to information being provided, which in turn led to further reporting. You could say it was a back-and-forth between the newspaper and its readers that created this. An important role of journalism is to unearth buried, voiceless voices. Digging up information takes time and money. But isn’t it what we are expected to do, with trained, professional journalists scooping out those voices? We hope that even a little of that passion can be conveyed to you through our articles. Sawa Nobuya Born in 1970. Joined the Asahi Shimbun in 1996, and after working in the Tokyo Social Affairs Department and Special Reporting Department, he has been an editorial committee member at the Tokyo headquarters editorial department since 2019. Asahi Shimbun Investigative Journalism The Asahi Shimbun continues to conduct investigative journalism, uncovering the facts through original reporting. When publishing or publishing articles, multiple sets of eyes are used to check the facts and appropriateness of the expressions used. What is the Newspaper Association Award The Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award is an annual award given by the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association to outstanding journalists. It was established in 1957 to promote activities that enhance the credibility and authority of newspapers as a whole. It honors journalists who have made outstanding achievements in the three fields of editing, technology, and management/operations. In 2020, the awards were reorganized into three categories: the Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award (formerly the Editorial Division), the Newspaper Technology Award (formerly the Technology Division), and the Newspaper Management Award (formerly the Management/Operations Division). Asahi Shimbun’s awards history This marks the 27th time that The Asahi Shimbun has received the Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award (including the former Editorial Division) since 1957. In recent years, the company has continued to win awards for investigative reporting. Asahi Shimbun Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Awards for the past five years FY2025: A series of special reports regarding Japan Post’s unreasonably high penalties and inappropriate roll calls FY2024: A series of scoops and related reports regarding the LDP faction’s slush fund scandal 2022: A series of scoops and related reports regarding fraud in core statistics by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2021: A scoop and related reports regarding LINE’s personal information management issues
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