The first episode of the 8-part series of HBC's web talk show from Hokkaido, “Muchizon: Ignorance Costs You,” introduces the identity and definition of the “new liberal,” considered Japan's largest political force, along with the authors' views.
The first episode of HBC's web talk show, “Muchizon: Ignorance Costs You,” which explores topics of public interest, was broadcast. This episode focused in detail on the “new liberal,” which is said to account for roughly 20% of Japan's population.
The guest was Professor Hashimoto Tsutomu (橋本 努) of the Graduate School of Hokkaido University, author of “The New Liberal.” Announcer Honma Risei (本間 吏成) and reporter Takahashi Tomoya (髙橋 智也) appeared as the program's interviewers. The program examined the basics of political thought and the differences in meaning between conservatism and liberalism.
The program also touched on Professor Hashimoto's relationship with Professor Kanazawa Yusuke (金澤 悠介), with whom he co-authored “The New Liberal: The ‘Hidden Majority’ Revealed by Large-Scale Surveys,” explaining that it highlighted the existence of Japan's new liberals.
This episode served as the introduction to the 8-part series, which developed a discussion of the definitions of liberalism and conservatism and their roles in society.