In brief
After leaving a prestigious newspaper, journalist Makoto Watanabe founded Tansa, Japan’s first investigative nonprofit, aiming to challenge authority and bring critical issues to light, such as forced sterilizations of disabled individuals.
Makoto Watanabe, a seasoned journalist in Japan, made waves when he left his prominent position at one of the country’s leading newspapers. This bold departure was driven by a significant turning point: the retraction of a crucial investigation into the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The Asahi Shimbun, his former employer, retracted a report claiming that workers had abandoned the nuclear plant against orders—a claim that sparked outrage and subsequent scrutiny. The ensuing backlash prompted the newspaper to not only retract the article but also dismantle the investigative team that produced it.Feeling disillusioned by the retreat of a major media outlet from its commitment to truth, Watanabe faced a pivotal decision. Rather than conform to journalistic constraints that prioritized access over integrity, he boldly stepped into uncharted territory by launching the Tokyo Investigative Newsroom Tansa—Japan’s first media nonprofit devoted entirely to investigative journalism.Reflecting on his motivations, Watanabe noted, “The newspaper was more interested in protecting its privileged access than informing its readers. I wanted to create a new media organization that wouldn’t cave under pressure.” Though small in scale, Tansa has swiftly made an impact in the media landscape. As its editor-in-chief, Watanabe leads a compact team consisting of two full-time reporters, an intern, and a volunteer. Working from a modest office, they have successfully uncovered significant issues, most notably a series of articles revealing the historical injustices of forced sterilizations imposed upon mentally disabled individuals. This groundbreaking coverage prompted the Japanese government to issue a public apology and enact compensation laws for those affected.As Tansa's credibility grows, it has also formed strategic partnerships, including a content-sharing deal with NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. Watanabe’s vision for a steadfast media committed to accountability continues to gain momentum, demonstrating that the power of investigative journalism can still ignite change—even in the face of institutional resistance.
