Raw Japan

Political paparazzi

It’s been a scramble for journalists to follow Yukio Hatoyama’s every move after his Democratic Party won the election by a landslide, making him the next prime minister. 

From his opulent home to gatherings with political and government figures, reporters chase him all around Tokyo, with pit-stops at the Democrats’ headquarters in Nagatacho, the heart of the capital’s political district.

The Democrats’ modest HQ makes the chase harder. Several dozen reporters, including TV crew and photographers, tussle to catch Hatoyama in just the few metres he has to get from his car to the elevator of the building. Another few dozen reporters are standing by in the very narrow hallway on the eighth floor in front of the offices of party executives, including Hatoyama’s.

“He entered the building,” a reporter shouts after getting a call from a colleague downstairs.