That was operative then...

...this is what is operative now.

NHK, formerly terrified into being the "All Abductees All the Time Network," has found a whole new set of marching orders, it seems.

During the 9 p.m. newscast, the male announcer asked guest Shizuoka University professor Izumi Hajime something close to this:

The abductees problem is very difficult and very important for Japan, but in the end, as compared to South Korea and the United States, doesn't it leave Japan a step behind the others, or the odd man out?"

Aaaaah! What a difference a change in prime ministers makes.