2024-03-06 21:00:00
Ukraine is now in its third year since the start of the invasion by Russia’s Putin regime. Speaking of Japanese people who are most familiar with the society of Ukraine, which continues to bravely resist with the survival of its people and nation at stake, Takashi Hirano (42), editor of the Japanese edition of Ukraine’s state-run news agency “Ukrinform” in the capital Kyiv, said: I wouldn’t leave it anywhere else. On the 3rd, Mr. Hirano just received the Research Encouragement Award from the Ukraine Study Group (chaired by Yoshihiko Okabe) for his paper on the theme of civil society in Ukraine. He spoke freely regarding Ukrainian media and society, relations with Russia, and the response to Japan’s aid. (Editorial committee member: Shin Tokiwa)
Takashi HiranoBorn in 1981. She graduated from the Russian and Eastern European Course at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. She completed her master’s program (International Relations) at Lviv National University. She worked as a specialist researcher at the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine, and since 2018 has been the editor of the Japanese version of the Ukrainian Newsletter. She lives in Kiew. Her book is “Ukraine Fan Book”. She is also active as a photographer.
◆The media also fights to protect the information space
Mr. Takashi Hirano in Kivu City (provided by himself)
—Russia’s war of aggression continues. What are the biggest themes surrounding the media in Ukraine?
“Recently, the credibility of the news program “Unification News,” which is jointly run by six television stations to deal with Russia’s information war, has decreased significantly compared to immediately following the invasion, and it is becoming increasingly unwatchable. There is a debate over whether or not it should be stopped.While many say it is time to stop, the chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Freedom of Expression (an opposition lawmaker) is cautious.There is still room for Russia to enter Ukraine’s information space. Although some improvements are necessary, the restrictions themselves should not be completely lifted under martial law.”
-Independent media outlets such as Ukraine Pravda have argued that it is important for the media to monitor the government precisely because we are in a defensive war that requires the people to come together as one.
“I agree. At the same time, pressure on such independent media has recently become an issue. There have been multiple incidents where someone has applied various types of pressure, such as intercepting media communications, following reporters, and monitoring them with cameras. , Ukraine Pravda was also affected. Among them, a case was discovered in which the involvement of the Security Service of Ukraine was clearly revealed, and it became a huge scandal, forcing the government to respond. The person responsible was dismissed, and freedom of the press was abolished. The ambassadors of the G7 (seven major countries) had to urgently meet with the head of the National Security Agency.The ambassadors must have conveyed their concerns.”
◆“Ukrainian civil society is working hard”
—Unlike Russia, Ukraine should have a high degree of press freedom. Why does this happen?
An apartment building in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, partially destroyed by a Russian attack, October 2022, photographed by Takashi Hirano
“The government probably wants to control the media to some extent during wartime.In fact, it does so to some extent, but on the other hand, the media also continues to advocate the importance of freedom of the press and carry out activities, and there are certain There is a lot of tension in the relationship. We are desperately fighting once morest Russian aggression, so even though there is a feeling that we are all united, the citizens are able to properly assert their rights. I think Ukrainian civil society is doing its best.”
-This is a big difference from Russia, which designates social groups critical of the government as “foreign agents” and excludes all influence from the West and other countries.
“Currently in Ukraine, a relationship has been established in which the government cannot decide to oppose the wishes of civil society.Moreover, the international community such as the G7 supports the civil society side. If civil society decides that it is right, the international community will often reach out in a way that shows solidarity with civil society.
◆In Russia, where citizens have stopped standing up, Ukraine…
—In Russia, in the winter of 2011, there was the largest mass protest movement by citizens since the collapse of the Soviet Union over fraudulent presidential elections, which seemed to be a sign of the rise of civil society, but this was nipped in the bud by the Putin administration’s repression. It is a contrast. What are the major factors behind the establishment of civil society in Ukraine?
A park in Kiv with a large hole left by a Russian missile attack, October 2022, photographed by Takashi Hirano
“I think it’s an accumulation of successful experiences. For example, there was the Orange Revolution (2004) and the Maidan Revolution (2014), but following the revolutions, civil society people steadily worked hard and achieved results. Failures. There are times when you succeed, but there are times when you succeed.It is important that everyone does not give up following experiencing the success of being able to achieve results based on their hard work.If you spread one success experience to various fields, young people will also I realized that there is a place where I can put my skills to use.The government is also trying to recruit experts from civil society such as various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) because they are popular with the people. However, there are also many cases in which various powers are granted in order to truly carry out reform policies.”
-Does this mean that Ukraine has succeeded in fundamentally improving its constitution from the totalitarian society it had before independence?
“In the case of Russia, there was a sense of resignation that no matter what they did, they would be oppressed anyway, so the citizens stopped standing up.However, in the case of Ukraine, the more you do, the more you get the results.It may be painful, but in the end. It gives me hope that we can win. I’m gradually overcoming my nihilism.”
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