Naoki Hyakuta

2.1. Childhood and Studies

Naoki Hyakuta was born on February 23, 1956, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. During his formative years, Hyakuta developed an interest in literature and media. As a boy, he was an avid reader of Maru, a Japanese military history magazine, and had a reader submission published in its March 1971 issue. While attending Doshisha University's Faculty of Law, he appeared on the television program "Love Attack!" (aired by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation) in 1978, becoming a regular participant who attempted challenges six times as a third-year university student. He spent five years at the university before ultimately withdrawing without graduating.

3.1. Broadcast Career

After leaving university, Hyakuta was noticed by Osamu Matsumoto, a producer at Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC TV), who encouraged him to become a scriptwriter. Hyakuta went on to become a prominent broadcast writer, notably serving as the head of composition for the popular investigative variety show "Detective! Knight Scoop" for 35 years. He retired from this role on October 6, 2023, to focus on his political activities. His other contributions as a scriptwriter include programs like "Great Discovery! The Law of Fear." He also appeared on the program "Gokon! Gasshuku! Kaihoku" under the name "Socrates Plato Hyakuta Great Teacher." All these programs were produced by ABC TV.

3.2. Literary Career

Hyakuta made his debut as a novelist in August 2006 with The Eternal Zero. His second novel, BOX!, published in July 2008, was nominated for the 30th Eiji Yoshikawa Literary New Face Award and ranked 5th in the 6th Honya Taisho (Japan Booksellers' Award), subsequently being adapted into a film. In October 2012, The Eternal Zero surpassed 1 million copies in the paperback division of the Oricon "Books" ranking, becoming the 13th novel to achieve this milestone.

In 2013, Hyakuta received the Honya Taisho for his novel The Man Called Pirate, published in July 2012. Upon receiving the award, he famously stated his joy, calling it "far more wonderful than the Naoki Prize, the best award in literature," which garnered significant attention. In September of the same year, he began serializing Fortuna's Eye in Shukan Shincho, marking his first weekly magazine serialization since his debut as a novelist. In October 2013, he was also awarded the 26th Japan Eyewear Best Dresser Award in the Cultural Category.

On June 12, 2019, Hyakuta announced his retirement as a novelist. By December 2019, the cumulative circulation of his published works had exceeded 20 million copies.

4.1. The Eternal Zero

Published in 2006, The Eternal Zero is one of Hyakuta's most famous novels. It became a best-seller, selling over 4 million copies, and was adapted into a highly popular film in 2013. The film's box office success was notable, becoming the 7th highest-grossing Japanese live-action film and the highest-grossing Toho-distributed film at the time, earning over 8.50 B JPY.

Despite its commercial success, The Eternal Zero faced criticism, particularly from renowned Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, who called the novel "a pack of lies" about the war. In response, Hyakuta publicly speculated that Miyazaki "wasn't right in the head." Critics argued that the novel and its film adaptation downplayed Japanese war crimes and aggressive actions, instead focusing on a moving human drama set against the backdrop of war. This approach was seen by some as an attempt to dilute the tragedy of war and the suffering of its victims, thereby sidestepping Japan's responsibility for its wartime actions.

4.2. Other Notable Works

Beyond The Eternal Zero, Hyakuta has authored numerous other books, several of which have also been adapted into films. These include BOX! (2008) and Monster (2010).

His 2012 novel, The Man Called Pirate, which chronicles the life of Sazo Idemitsu, the founder of Idemitsu Kosan, also became a multi-million-copy best-seller and was adapted into a film in 2016, grossing 2.37 B JPY. However, the novel drew criticism from some Idemitsu company insiders and former employees, who claimed it presented an inaccurate portrayal of Sazo Idemitsu. Yasuo Okumoto, a former employee, published "Seiden Idemitsu Sazo" to offer a more accurate account. Okumoto stated that Hyakuta, when meeting Sazo Idemitsu's eldest son, Shosuke Idemitsu, admitted the title "The Man Called Pirate" was chosen primarily for sales, which reportedly displeased Shosuke. Okumoto also noted that Idemitsu Kosan did not financially support the film adaptation. Hyakuta, in turn, refuted these claims on Twitter, stating that the meeting with Shosuke was amicable, he never said the title was solely for sales, and that Idemitsu Kosan management had expressed gratitude for his work, even asking him to write against a foreign partnership. He also clarified that while he did not view "pirate" negatively, it was a term previously used by competitors to criticize Sazo Idemitsu. The film's credits, however, list Idemitsu Kosan as providing "research cooperation and materials."

In 2018, Hyakuta released Nihon Kokuki (A Record of Japan), which was promoted by its publisher as "the ultimate overview of Japanese history." This book became a best-seller but quickly faced accusations of containing fictitious statements and plagiarism from various sources, including Wikipedia articles. Hyakuta himself acknowledged some instances of copying. Author Yasumi Tsuhara criticized the book as "a book praising one's own country filled with copy-and-pasted excerpts from the web." An investigation by the Mainichi Shimbun revealed that the hardcover edition underwent at least 50 corrections from its first to ninth printings, and even the paperback edition retained significant historical inaccuracies, such as an incorrect reference to an emperor's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Journalist Furuya Tsunekiyo also pointed out numerous errors and criticized the book for echoing classical conspiracy theories prevalent among the Japanese net-right, such as the claim that Japan's expansion into China was a Comintern conspiracy rather than an invasion.

Other significant literary contributions include Shadow Play (2010), Jun'ai (2014), The Paradise of Frogs (2016), and Great Common Sense (2023). He has also published essays such as Now, Let's Apologize to Korea (2017) and War and Peace (2017), and non-fiction works like The Strongest Man on Earth (2020).

5.1. NHK Governor

In 2013, Hyakuta was appointed as one of 12 members of the board of governors of NHK, Japan's national broadcaster. This appointment came after the re-election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Shinzō Abe, whom Hyakuta had supported in his bid to regain LDP leadership the previous year. While his selection initially drew some criticism, the National Diet approved his appointment in November 2013.

However, Hyakuta's tenure as an NHK governor became highly controversial due to his historical views, particularly his denial of the Nanjing Massacre. These views gained renewed attention following a speech he gave in support of Toshio Tamogami's campaign for the Tokyo governorship in 2014. His statements sparked extended controversy, with the US Embassy in Tokyo describing his views as "preposterous" and "unreasonable." The Chinese Foreign Ministry also criticized his remarks as a "blatant challenge to international justice and human conscience." Concerns about the impartiality of public broadcasting were raised. Hyakuta resigned from his position as an NHK governor in February 2015, serving only one term.

5.2. Leader of the Conservative Party of Japan

On June 12, 2023, Hyakuta publicly declared his intention to run for the Japanese House of Representatives and form a new political party if the LGBT Understanding Promotion Act, then under discussion in the National Diet, were to pass. Four days later, on June 16, the bill was passed into law.

Consequently, Hyakuta announced the formation of the Conservative Party of Japan on September 1, 2023. He co-founded the party and assumed the role of its leader, with Takashi Kawamura, the Mayor of Nagoya, appointed as Vice President, and journalist Kaori Arimoto as Secretary General. The party's platform is generally characterized by conservative and nationalist principles.

6.1. Right-wing Politics

Hyakuta's political alignment is firmly rooted in the Japanese right-wing. He has been a vocal supporter of conservative figures, notably Shinzō Abe, and has consistently advocated for policies and interpretations that align with a nationalist agenda. His views often emphasize traditional Japanese values and a strong sense of national pride.

6.2. Historical Views and War Revisionism

Hyakuta's interpretations of Japanese history, particularly concerning World War II and its aftermath, are highly controversial and have frequently drawn accusations of historical revisionism. He has consistently downplayed or denied Japanese war crimes and has sought to reframe Japan's wartime actions in a more positive light.

7.1. Historical Revisionism and Denial

Hyakuta's consistent downplaying of Japanese war crimes and his nationalist interpretations of history have been a recurring source of criticism. His statements, particularly during his time as an NHK governor, garnered international attention and contributed to concerns about the integrity of public broadcasting. Critics argue that his views distort historical understanding and negatively impact international relations, especially with countries that were victims of Japanese aggression during World War II.

7.2. Literary and Publication Controversies

Hyakuta has faced accusations of plagiarism and defamation in his literary career.

His 2018 book, Nihon Kokuki, despite being a best-seller, was found to contain fictitious statements and instances of plagiarism from various sources, including Wikipedia. The author himself admitted to some copying. Critics, such as Yasumi Tsuhara, described it as a book "filled with copy-and-pasted excerpts from the web." The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the hardcover edition underwent at least 50 corrections from its first to ninth printings, and even the paperback edition retained significant historical inaccuracies, such as an incorrect reference to an emperor's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Journalist Furuya Tsunekiyo also pointed out numerous errors and criticized the book for adhering to classical conspiracy theories of the Japanese net-right.

In 2014, Hyakuta published Jun'ai, a book written in memory of his deceased friend, television host Yashiki Takajin. The book, presented as a work of reporting, depicted Takajin's daughter and manager as callous individuals who abandoned him in his final days. Both Takajin's daughter and manager subsequently sued Hyakuta and his publisher, Gentosha, for defamation. Hyakuta claimed the book was "fiction," despite naming real individuals. He had heavily relied on uncritical interviews with Takajin's widow and did not disclose her bigamy in the book's text, only admitting to it later. After multiple appeals, the Supreme Court of Japan ruled in December 2017 that Hyakuta had defamed Takajin's daughter, ordering him and Gentosha to pay 3.65 M JPY in compensation. In November 2018, the Tokyo District Court also found that Hyakuta had defamed Takajin's manager, ordering an additional 2.75 M JPY in compensation and a written apology.

Additionally, his 2012 novel The Man Called Pirate has been criticized by some former employees and family members of Sazo Idemitsu, the real-life figure on whom the novel is based, for portraying an inaccurate image.

He was also involved in a defamation lawsuit with journalist Daisuke Tsuda over tweets related to the Aichi Triennale 2019 exhibition. Hyakuta had tweeted that Tsuda was "used by suspicious Korean organization" and "used by anti-Japanese leftists." In April 2023, the Tokyo District Court found 6 of Hyakuta's tweets to be illegal and defamatory, ordering him to pay 300.00 K JPY in damages. Upon appeal, the High Court in December 2023 increased the compensation to 500.00 K JPY, ruling that an additional 6 tweets were also defamatory. The court highlighted Hyakuta's status as a prominent writer with a large following, emphasizing that the illegality of his posts was not minor and that the emotional distress caused to Tsuda was significant.

7.3. Controversial Public Statements

Hyakuta's public remarks have frequently drawn widespread criticism for their social and political implications, often targeting specific groups or societal norms.

7.3.3. Okinawa-related Statements

Hyakuta has made several controversial statements regarding Okinawa and the US military presence there. On June 25, 2015, at a study group for young LDP lawmakers, he declared that "Okinawa's two newspapers (Ryukyu Shimpo and Okinawa Times) must be crushed." He also controversially claimed that the rate of rape committed by Okinawan locals was "far higher" than that committed by US soldiers. Regarding the Futenma Base, he stated that it was "originally in rice fields" and that people chose to move around the base for business, implying they were responsible for their proximity to it. He also questioned whether Okinawa was "truly a victim" during World War II. At the same event, he referred to island nations like Nauru, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu as "poor slums" and Iceland as "ice all year," suggesting they had nothing of value to be taken. These remarks were widely reported, sparked public outrage, and were addressed in the National Diet, leading to an apology from then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on behalf of the LDP. Despite the controversy, Hyakuta reiterated his stance at an August 2015 rally, stating, "Once again, I thought Okinawa's two newspapers are trash."

In October 2017, during a lecture in Nago, Okinawa, Hyakuta falsely claimed that "half of the people at the anti-base protest sites are Chinese and Koreans," asserting they were paid "tens of thousands of yen" daily and that the core of the movement consisted of "Chinese agents." He also referred to an Okinawa Times reporter as a "devil-sold journalist" during an interview. In September 2018, on the program "Toranomon News," he claimed that a US military helicopter part falling incident was "all lies" and "fabrication." He also incorrectly stated that there was no evidence of US Marine Corps bases being relocated to Okinawa due to mainland protests, a claim later fact-checked as false. Following Denny Tamaki's victory in the September 2018 Okinawa gubernatorial election, Hyakuta tweeted, "Okinawa, maybe it's over." In October 2018, he linked Okinawa to the "Chinese Ethnic Ryukyu Special Autonomous Region Preparatory Committee," suggesting that if Okinawa became Chinese territory, it would face a fate similar to Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

8.1. Health

On December 27, 2023, Hyakuta publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, stating it was an "internal organ" cancer. He was admitted to the hospital on January 10, 2024, to undergo surgery for kidney cancer.

8.2. Hobbies and Interests

Hyakuta's hobbies include magic and Go, in which he holds a 6th dan rank. He is known for his extensive collection of materials in his workroom and library, which are reportedly so packed that there is little room to walk.