A Newsweek story that apparently misinterpreted the results of an opinion poll carried out by a Japanese news agency last week is creating a public stir.
A Newsweek story that apparently misinterpreted the results of an opinion poll carried out by a Japanese news agency last week is creating a public stir.
The headline of the story, published Nov. 18 on Newsweek’s website, concluded: « Japan wants war with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, not dialogue, new poll shows. » The Jiji Press survey in question, however, found that 53.9 percent of respondents support Japan and the United States using « pressure » to deal with North Korea, versus 39.4 percent who prefer dialogue. The survey didn’t ask any questions about war as an option. Domestically, « pressure » is usually interpreted as meaning economic sanctions and tough diplomacy. On Friday, a TV Asahi show described the Newsweek story as « shocking » and « a huge mistake.
