[sumo] NHK Broadcast follow-up

[Peter Harmer]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback to the idea of writing 
to NHK about the bilingual sumo broadcast. In quick response to the 
different issues that have been raised I would like to offer the following:

a) where to send the letters? (thanks for the clarification, Doreen): 
Mr. Fukuchi is the head honcho and this is where I believe we will have 
the most impact. However, I don't see any downside to sending letters to 
both (same letter, just different salutation).

b) what language?: here I agree with Jeanne. The impact of our concern 
is lost if we write in Japanese. Letters in English will stand out (and 
NHK is the national broadcaster to the world - they will not just 
dismiss letters in English (or any other language). Even if they are 
cycled to someone "responsible" for English letters, once the pile is 
big enough, it will be brought to the attention of those who need to 
know)). If you want to bolster the impact, get your Japanese friends to 
write (in Japanese) pointing out how the cutting back of the bilingual 
broadcasts is making it difficult for their non-Japanese speaking 
friends, colleagues, acquaintances, etc, in Japan and around the world 
to enjoy and understand this important Japanese cultural activity.

c) how much impact can we have?: I believe that there are certainly 
enough of us to have a significant impact (a few hundred?, a 1,000 
letters? from around the world is not out of the question it seems to me 
if we mobilize all our resources. This includes our friends who may not 
be native English speakers but for whom the English broadcast is more 
accessible than the Japanese). However, the key in these situations is 
timing. The bulk of the letters have to arrive in a short timeframe to 
have maximum impact. The release of the new banzuke / the start of the 
Nagoya tournament is the perfect impetus - I suggest that people post 
their letters to arrive 7-10 days from now (July 8-11).

d) what to write?: the letters do not have to be long (and, in fact, 
shouldn't be). My approach is a few sentences about who I am (especially 
helpful if you have any professional qualifications - play up your 
demographic strengths); quickly to the value of the bilingual sumo 
broadcast (these tournaments are not some local "quirky" one-off type 
reality television - sumo is an iconic representation of Japan; it does 
not reflect well on NHK when the national broadcasting system does not 
support the dissemination of the national sport to the world); finish 
with a brief note of appreciation for the past good performances (i.e., 
the fact that NHK instituted bilingual broadcasts) and a wish that NHK 
return to the full support of the bilingual broadcast with at least two 
commentators each day (or perhaps an expansion given the growing 
international interest in sumo with the success of Kotooshu, etc). It 
should be no more than one page.

One last thing - my experience with similar situations (i.e., grass 
roots efforts to change corporate/bureaucratic practices) is they 
generally fail when those involved end up not doing anything as they try 
to work out the "perfect" approach. All of the concerns and comments 
posted are legitimate but the force of our resolve dissipates the longer 
the discussion goes on about "how to best do this". In truth, whichever 
way you think is best - just do it! BUT we all need to do it at the same 
time.

 I think that's all for now. My letter(s) will be on their way today. 
Thanks. Peter