NHK President Nobuo Inaba held a regular press conference on the 17th in Shibuya, Tokyo, addressing the controversy surrounding a recent drama depiction that prompted strong protests from the family of a historical figure portrayed in the program.

Dramatized History Draws Ire

The drama in question, the NHK Special "Simulation: Defeat in the Summer of 1941," aired on August 16th and 17th. It depicted the Prime Minister's exclusive Total War Research Institute, established just before the outbreak of the Pacific War. Based on Naoki Inose's "Defeat in the Summer of 1941," the story featured Sosuke Ikematsu as a researcher at the institute.

Portrayal Sparks Outcry

A central point of contention was the portrayal of Institute Director Jo Iimura, a Lieutenant General in the Imperial Japanese Army. While historically noted for encouraging free debate, the drama depicted him as a figure applying pressure to overturn the institute's conclusions. Following the broadcast, Iimura's grandson held a press conference, protesting that the portrayal "distorted history and defamed [his] grandfather's character," and announced an intention to file a complaint with the Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO).

President's Concession

President Inaba, who confirmed he had watched the program, offered a nuanced response. He acknowledged that while the program was indicated as a fiction, "frankly speaking, there was an aspect that could not be helped if it was pointed out that they dramatized differently from historical facts to make the drama more interesting." He expressed his view to staff that, even in dramas, "a production that draws various opinions was not like NHK." Inaba also took the opportunity to comment on the challenges of co-productions with external companies, suggesting that if NHK's core principles cannot be maintained, alternative production methods should be considered.