CBS News abruptly shutters Tokyo bureau to cut costs after over 50 years in Japan
NY Post
CBS News quietly shut down its Tokyo bureau this week — a desperate move to slash costs that could crimp the network’s coverage of China, The Post has learned.
According to sources close to the situation, CBS News London bureau chief Andrew Roy — who some at the network call “the hatchet” — flew to Tokyo on Tuesday to fire the staff, ending the network presence in Japan after more than half a century.
“It is not a big bureau but with everything going on in the region, it’s throwing up a white flag,” a source close to the Tiffany Network said. “Money is more important than covering a major part of the world.”
CBS News slashed 20 staffers as part of a bloodbath that had engulfed nearly 800 workers at corporate parent Paramount Global.
“CBS News will continue to have a team in Asia, including an on-air correspondent,” a network spokesperson said. “We also have a partnership with the BBC which provides us with additional resources in the region.”
A source with knowledge said three staffers were let go but it is unclear if that includes local hires. A rep for CBS News said that senior foreign correspondent Liz Palmer, who is based in Tokyo and has been responsible for major news coverage in Asia, was not impacted by the layoffs.
