We are more than just numbers, aren't we?

On Aug. 3, something interesting happened on the TBS newsmagazine "Broadcaster." Following a report on the new computerized resident registry network, commonly referred to as Juki Net, which would go into effect the following Monday, the show's presenter apologized for not covering the topic fully when the legislation was passed by the Diet in 1999.

"Often, we simply choose topics that we believe will guarantee higher ratings," the presenter said before bowing to the camera.

It was a laudable gesture and clarified the notion that the media had arrived at the Juki Net controversy way too late. For the past week, it's been a hot topic of conversation on the news shows and in the papers, but considering that the policy has now gone into effect the discussions seem a bit futile.