In January 2025, the Trump administration decided to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This move has had significant implications for global humanitarian aid and has sparked debates within and outside the U.S. However, Japanese mainstream media has barely covered this news. Why is that?
1. Reasons Why Japanese Media Is Not Covering It
(1) Prioritization of Domestic News
Japanese media tend to prioritize domestic news, focusing on economic issues, the aging population, and natural disasters. Changes in U.S. foreign aid policy may not be seen as directly impacting the Japanese audience, lowering its newsworthiness.
(2) Low Recognition of USAID in Japan
Unlike JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), which is well-known in Japan, USAID remains relatively obscure. Since it does not have direct involvement with Japan, it naturally receives less media attention.
(3) Bias in U.S.-Related News Coverage
Japanese media often lean toward favoring Biden’s administration. News regarding Trump’s policies, especially those unrelated to Biden’s failures, may not fit their preferred narrative, leading to a lower priority for coverage.
(4) Possible Self-Censorship or Political Considerations
While direct U.S. government intervention in Japanese media is unlikely, Japanese news outlets may choose to downplay the issue due to diplomatic considerations. In the past, certain topics involving Japan-U.S. relations were intentionally underreported.
2. How Is the World Covering This News?
In the U.S., mainstream liberal media such as The New York Times and The Washington Post have criticized the dismantling of USAID as a move that weakens America’s global influence and moral responsibility.
However, European and Asian media outlets have also shown limited coverage, similar to Japan. On the other hand, media in developing nations that rely on international aid have voiced strong concerns about the potential crisis caused by the reduction in U.S. assistance.
3. Should Japanese Media Cover This News?
The dismantling of USAID is not just an internal U.S. issue; it affects global humanitarian aid and international cooperation. As Japan continues its global assistance efforts through JICA, it should consider how U.S. policy changes might impact future international collaborations.
From the perspective of press freedom and news diversity, the lack of coverage on such a significant global issue is concerning. Japanese media should adopt a more international outlook and provide balanced reporting on world affairs.
