Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba has begun providing simultaneous interpretation in English at his weekly press conferences to provide more information to the international community about Japan's diplomatic activities.
At his first bilingual press conference Wednesday, receivers and earphones were handed out and an interpreter provided simultaneous translation from a booth set up inside the briefing room. Two non-Japanese speaking reporters attended for the first time, the ministry said.
Although the ministry is hoping the interpretations will reduce the global community's mounting distrust of the government, at least one media expert doubted it would have much of an impact on Japan's poor reputation for disclosure.