Witnessing the World through Photojournalism

Our monthly magazine DAYS JAPAN (Japanese version) was started on the first anniversary of the Iraq war, March 20, 2004. We also have published DAYS JAPAN International Edition

Since 9.11, a distrust of the conventional media has been spreading. On too many occasions, critical information failed to reach us. There were even times when the information broadcast by the media urged us to choose the path to war. As a result, our generation is rushing headlong in a dangerous direction. Although there are photojournalists who take excellent photographs, there aren’t enough media to publish them. We think it is important to protect our ability to read about the age we are in. That is why DAYS JAPAN was born, amidst this crisis of international mass media and journalism.

Center on photojournalism Monitor power Carry out investigative reporting Distribute world-class distinguished documentary photographs Publish the documentary photos that best support the campaign to protect human life and the natural environment Tackle topics such as discrimination, oppression, starvation and crimes by men against women

One day, the will of the people will bring an end to war. A single photograph has the power to change the course of a nation.

Event related to DAYS JAPAN:

We have been holding the DAYS JAPAN International Photojournalism Awards on annual basis for the first time since 2005, where many distinguished works were distributed from around the world. The exhibition of those prized photos was critically acclaimed.

DAYS JAPAN Support Fund for the Children of Fukushima:

On March 11th, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster. Two months later, in May DAYS JAPAN initiated a ‘fund-raising campaign to help provide radiation measurement instruments’ to the effected areas and together with the Fukushima Children’s Fund, that was established by the volunteers from the Chernobyl Children’s Fund, we delivered a number of food radiation monitors and whole-body counters to citizen’s groups in Fukushima Prefecture. This resulted in the establishment of at least six citizen’s radioactivity measuring stations. In October, DAYS JAPAN set up the "Days Japan Support Fund for the Children of Fukushima" and initiated a recuperation project for the child victims of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. Its activities included support for food radioactivity monitoring stations and assisting in the establishment of recuperation centers. On March 2012, a press conference was held, announcing the start of the project for a recuperation center called OKINAWA KUMI NO SATO. On July 5th when the center opened, receiving the first group of fifty-one, consisting of children and their guardians from Fukushima. The number of children and guardians we have accommodated until July2013 is up to 550.

Comments and articles on DAYS JAPAN:

Interview with Ryuichi HIROKAWA, the editor in chief of DAYS JAPAN, from Japan Times on line , May 2, 2004 ”I have long waited for such a authentic photojournalism magazine. I support this magazine.“ Ruiko YOSHIDA (Photojournalist) ”The only magazine that has the unfaltering courage to seek the truth that we need to know.” Kenjiro HAITANI (Novelist) ”Surprised to see the painful reality that had not been reported before. This must be done at all costs.” Tokiko KATO (Singer)

Words from the Editor-in-Chief of DAYS JAPAN:

On-site photojournalists take sellable photographs that are sent to press agencies around the world, and from there the mass media can buy and publish them. However, this commercialism must not be the foundation of the practice of journalism, as the facts behind such images always carry some bias: Those who conduct bombing raids, for instance, are reluctant to see photos of the damage and victims caused by their attacks. As a result, the photos of such casualties lose their commercial value in the media market and thus may not be seen by the general public. Through the images and words of real people in our photos and stories, we hope to help bring back to the fore a world of journalists who are well aware of their most basic role in society and who will share the same vision of responsible journalism well in to the future.