Revamped MDN to start from Sept. 1

The Mainichi Newspapers will revamp its English Web site, The Mainichi Daily News (MDN), from Sept. 1.

Based on many opinions received from readers, the MDN will place importance on content from the Mainichi Shimbun -- news, commentary and reviews. We will translate Mainichi Shimbun editorials, columns and commentary pieces by prominent figures, such as "Jidai-no-Kaze" (Sign of the Times) into English. We will also adopt a new masthead and site design.

We will re-establish a strong editing system to check articles and select appropriate feature stories, based on our regrets that we carried an unverified, inappropriate column in the past. We will also set up an advisory group to the MDN comprising Sadaaki Numata, former Japanese ambassador to Canada; Andrew Horvat, visiting professor at Tokyo Keizai University; and Susan Millington, a freelance writer. We will ask the group for opinions on a regular basis and will introduce their views on the site. We will also utilize their experience in operating the site.

We are determined to do our best to serve as an international media organization that dispatches accurate and appropriate news about Japan to the world.

The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.