Edward
Neilan is an Asia expert whose self-syndicated column appears in newspapers and
on-line services around the world. As a graduate of journalism school from the age of
typewriters, he has advice for newcomers to the fields of reporting and opining. He is
passionate about the professional asset that membership of the Foreign Correspondents'
Club of Japan (FCCJ) can offer foreigners here.
Tokyo has never been better
There's a lot of whining among journalists here and the love-hate syndrome is in effect.
But every foreign correspondent I've known, reflecting on his or her Tokyo years, will
say, "It was the best assignment I've ever had."
There's never been more reporting from here. AP, Reuters, AFP, Kyodo, The Japan Times,
Nikkei Weekly, Daily Yomiuri and Bloomberg all have more English-writing staff in Tokyo
today than at any time in their histories. UPI is reconstituting and accepting resumes.
The reporting is more specialized, particularly in electronics, computer-related and
automotive fields, with less general news.
Opportunities for freelancers abound
Right now on the bulletin board in the Foreign Correspondents' Club there are five notices
posted for freelancers/stringers and the same number floating around the bar.
The demand is in the niches, from the traditional small town newspaper to trade journals,
advertorials, Internet, editorial and content provision, public relations, investor
relations and corporate in-house reports. In fact, many corporate job descriptions are
journalists' roles. Hundreds of foreigners are employed here as full-time speech writers
with Japanese corporations, newsletter editors for overseas branches and even as
ghostwriters for corporate biographies.
Direct contact with news organizations overseas may be made through directories like
Editor & Publisher. Needs of these organizations change all the time. Bureaus open and
close all the time. Because Tokyo is so expensive some bureaus of every description are
closing and relying on stringers. And don't overlook regional publications headquartered
in Hong Kong, Singapore or Australia. For example, the air travel boom has opened the door
for many new publications about "faraway places with strange-sounding airlines."
The Foreign Correspondents' Club
As a mark of professionalism, I think all foreign journalists in Japan should be members
of the FCCJ. Right now we have a campaign for new "under age-35" members at low
initial cost. This is a good way to learn to swim in Tokyo journalism waters. The Club has
an "associate" category for non-journalists-i.e. businessmen or bankers
interested in public affairs. The library of books and clippings alone is worth the price
of membership. We are developing computer facilities, our own database and even a
cyber-cafe.
How does one become a pundit?
Know what you are talking about. With a frown say, "Asia is sinking fast." Pause
and look more worried. Then continue.
You can read Ed's opinions in The Japan Times on the weekend. When he's not emceeing a
lunch at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Yurakucho, you can reach him at: eneilan@metropolis.co.jp
Edward
Neilan is an Asia expert whose self-syndicated column appears in newspapers and
on-line services around the world. As a graduate of journalism school from the age of
typewriters, he has advice for newcomers to the fields of reporting and opining. He is
passionate about the professional asset that membership of the Foreign Correspondents'
Club of Japan (FCCJ) can offer foreigners here. 
Tokyo has never been better