Japanese TV Anchor’s Evacuation Call Amid Earthquake Earns Praise, Highlights Shift in Chinese Media Response

This image taken in Hong Kong shows a warning message on a screen from a live feed on NHK World asking people to evacuate from the area after a series of major earthquakes hit central Japan, on Jan. 1, 2024. Mladen Antonov /AFP via Getty Images

In the wake of a large earthquake in Japan, the evacuation messages made by a public broadcasting news anchor have garnered widespread admiration.

It contrasts with derisive reactions from some Chinese media figures and the subsequent reaction from Chinese authorities, marking a notable shift in the Chinese media’s stance toward Japan.