Ro's Recz

Netflix has been producing a bunch of Asian shows recently, whether it be K-dramas, anime, or Japanese dramas. The latest Japanese drama released is a show called The Journalist.

I was unaware that The Journalist was based on some true events that happened during the pandemic, but I found it intriguing nonetheless. Apparently though, The Journalist is loosely based off of a government scandal involving former PM Shinzo Abe and his wife. I don’t know many of the details, but maybe if you are more familiar with the story and Japanese politics it will help provide some insight into The Journalist.

The Journalist is similar in many ways to another Netflix Japanese drama, which was called Japan Sinks. Both shows portray the Japanese government in a bad light, highlighting the corruption going on between leaders. Both The Journalist and Japan Sinks have big-name casts and relatively high budgets.

The Journalist is not a very encouraging drama, and it is filled with a lot of deception and despicable acts by the government. Yet, there is a lot of intrigue throughout the show, and it ends in a relatively positive manner. As long as you are not looking for a super uplifting, happy drama, The Journalist could be worth checking out.

The Journalist Recommendation Rating: 4

1: Something worth checking out if you have time

2: Something that is a hit for some people, but not a must for everyone

3: Something worth prioritizing if interested

4: Something worth making time to check out

5: An absolute home run, worth going out of your way for