Japanese media leave, but vow to come back

The once busy camp of the Japanese media at the parking lot in front of the Department of Corrections in Susupe was almost empty yesterday, after the visiting reporters and their crew started leaving the island.

“I just suddenly felt sad. I miss them,” a court employee told Saipan Tribune.

The employee, who requested anonymity, said that she saw some of reporters removing their tents in the morning when she passed by the parking lot of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, where the journalists had put up tents and satellite receivers.

By noon yesterday, the parking area was already empty and was very quiet, she added.

The court employee said that for almost a month, she was a witness to the aggressiveness of the Japanese media, who would patient wait in front of DOC as early as 7am and even under the scorching sun.

The journalists began arriving on the island Feb. 24 when news spread that Japanese businessman Kazuyoshi Miura had been arrested at the Saipan International Airport on Feb. 22.

Most of them went back to Tokyo yesterday, while others are leaving today. Some journalists are based in their respective offices in Manila, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Seoul.

The exodus follows Superior Court Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona’s ruling on Wednesday, granting Miura a month to submit a petition challenging the extradition case filed against him. Manglona set the next hearing for May 28.

Most of the journalists, however, said that they would return to Saipan before the May 28 proceeding.

Takashi Terasawa, Nikkan Sports News staff writer, said he arrived Feb. 26 and has since fallen in love with the island. He was set to fly back to Tokyo yesterday afternoon.

“It’s very beautiful. I stayed at the Grand Hotel so every morning before I go to work I would go swimming,” Terasawa said.

He said his favorite place is Managaha Island.

Terasawa said a scene that has stuck with him during the entire coverage was when he once saw the 60-year-old Miura trying to drink water in the courtroom and his right hand was shaking.

“Miura tried to hide it [shaking] by slowly holding his right hand with the left hand. It was the most amazing scene I’ve ever seen,” the writer said.

For Kaho Izumitani, Nippon Hoso Kyokai international news correspondent, the blue color of the beach and the nice people made her stay worthwhile.

“The people are very nice, very friendly. They always offer a smile. I also like the barbecue style at the beach. And I love the color of the sea,” said Izumitani, who joined NHK’s crew on Saipan on March 8.

As a Japanese journalist, she said she found the Miura coverage very hard because the legal system is completely different from that of Japan.

Izumitani said the case is quite a challenge because she has never covered an extradition case.

“It’s such a good experience. It’s a good opportunity to know the American legal system. I’m learning a lot,” she said.

The correspondent said that the island heat is scorching, but that she was able to adapt to the weather.

Izumitani’s two co-workers left yesterday. She and six co-staff members are leaving today.

“For sure, I will come back here,” she said, smiling.