Monocle Columnist Contrasts Japan's Youthful Weather Reporters with Western Media's Seasoned Correspondents

In a Monocle column, Tyler Brûlé recounts watching Japanese morning news in Tokyo during Typhoon Dujuan. He observed that commercial networks like TV Asahi deploy young reporters—some appearing to be 21 to 23 years old—to cover dangerous weather live, wearing safety helmets and rain gear, while Western outlets such as CNN and the BBC assign such stories to seasoned correspondents. The column describes Japan's studio format as bright and crowded, with up to seven presenters and analogue infographics, unlike the double-anchor setups of Today, Good Morning America, or UK breakfast TV. Brûlé questions whether Western media have eliminated cub reporters due to health and safety, legal, or mental-health concerns. He also recalls a Hong Kong lunch with his former ABC boss Lisa after 36 years, discussing 1990s network TV opportunities and risks, and notes ABC's London bureau on Carburton Street as a training ground for young journalists. The piece ends with a reference to a Japan Rail premium service advertisement and a link to past columns.