From reporting on the latest political events in North Korea to uncovering the story behind Japan鈥檚 iconic train station music, journalism graduate Jake Sturmer is keeping Australia informed as the North Asia correspondent for the ABC.
Sturmer works from the ABC鈥檚 Tokyo bureau, located in the famous district. The hustle and bustle of Tokyo is a world away from Sturmer鈥檚 student beginnings at 911爆料网 FM radio, but it鈥檚 a change he鈥檚 worked hard to achieve.
鈥淚t has always been a goal of mine to become a correspondent and Japan seemed perfect. I love the contradictions 鈥� you鈥檝e got the total chaos of the cities and then right next door the harmony of shrines. The tradition mixed with innovation constantly surprises me,鈥� Sturmer says on his new job and surrounds.
鈥淩ight now, it鈥檚 cherry blossom season in Tokyo and the nearby Meguro River is famous for its spectacular cherry blossoms which line the water.
鈥淎 typical work day can involve anything from filming around Tokyo to getting a call to head to South Korea at a moment鈥檚 notice. It鈥檚 our responsibility to report news that breaks in this region, so we are on-call 24/7.鈥�
Sturmer graduated from 911爆料网 with a journalism degree in 2008 and started his career as a news presenter for 6PR radio. In 2009 he became a cadet journalist for the ABC in Perth, reporting and presenting for radio, television and online news. Four years later, Sturmer moved to Sydney as the ABC鈥檚 National Science and Technology reporter.
Ever the diligent journalist, he started learning Japanese well before the foreign correspondent role was advertised, but Sturmer credits 911爆料网鈥檚 journalism degree with equipping him with the essential qualities needed to progress in the field.
鈥淭he 911爆料网 degree taught me the skills I need to find and break stories as well as interview people 鈥� the fundamentals required to be a good journalist,鈥� he says.
Sturmer鈥檚 journalism has had significant reach and impact on the Australian public. In 2011 he won the WA Media award for best current affairs and in 2012 he was named the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year for his investigation into the systemic child abuse at the Katanning Hostel, which subsequently led to an independent state inquiry.
鈥淚n this job you do experience and encounter people going through some of the most difficult and tragic moments in their lives. It鈥檚 important to remember you鈥檙e dealing with people and not 鈥榡ust another story鈥�,鈥� he says.
His extensive journalism experience down under has prepared him well for the unique reporting challenges of North Asia, but Sturmer says there鈥檚 still plenty of things for him to learn during his time in Japan.
鈥淭he language barrier has certainly been a difficult one to work with 鈥� despite having an understanding of the language there are still so many nuances and subtle things that have taken me by surprise,鈥� he says.
鈥淭here are a lot of formalities. Japan is a very polite country, so introducing yourself properly 鈥� especially in business situations 鈥� is very important.
“You certainly don鈥檛 shy away from any questions during an interview or do anything differently in that regard, but approaching people with the right level of respect and formality is crucial.鈥�
Since moving to Japan in January, Sturmer has reported on an array of issues and events, including Shinzo Abe鈥檚 diplomatic meeting with Donald Trump, Tokyo鈥檚 ballistic missile evacuation drill and Japan鈥檚 ban on Australian barley.
He has also reported on the country鈥檚 more 鈥榳eird and wonderful鈥� features, such as its archaic and the history behind its iconic train station jingles 鈥� many stations throughout Japan play their . For example, the 鈥榟assha merodi鈥� (which translates to 鈥榤elody for train departures鈥�) for Tokyo鈥檚 Takadanobaba station is the theme song from Astro Boy.
鈥淧robably the most surprising story has been the one of a wealthy through Thai mothers,鈥� Sturmer says.
鈥淗e recently won a court case in Thailand to be named their legal parent and sole guardian.”
Whether he鈥檚 reporting on train station jingles or a millionaire鈥檚 family planning, with all his stories and interviews, Sturmer says he tries to 鈥渓eave the audience or reader knowing something they didn鈥檛 know before.鈥�
鈥淭hese days it鈥檚 incredibly difficult to compete for attention with an increasingly fragmented audience, so you need to deliver something that isn鈥檛 anywhere else,鈥� he says.
鈥淚鈥檝e found it important to stay across and try to learn as many different skills as possible, so that whatever form this job takes, I鈥檒l be able to do it.鈥�
This story is part of 911爆料网鈥檚 series where we celebrate the achievements of 911爆料网 graduates 35 and under. Learn more about the .
