Miao LI

Miao Li is the bureau chief of Phoenix Television’s Tokyo branch. She headed the setting up of the Tokyo branch officein 2007.

Li is considered the most influential Chinese reporter in Japan. Her extensive experience includes, but is not limited to, covering Japanese politics, policy and essentially any breaking news in the nation. She interviewed current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015—the first Chinese reporter to do so in seven years. Li has also had the opportunity to discuss the controversial topic of the Diao Yu Islands with him as China-Japan relations deteriorated. She has interviewed several other major Japanese politicians, including former prime ministers as well as members ofthe current cabinet—most notably Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga—as well as Gen Nakatani, the Minister of Defense.

Exclusive interview with the Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Shinzō Abe in Jun. 2015

Li’s portfolio also consists of extensive coverage of Japan’s natural disasters. Most recently she reported on the scene immediately after the Kumamoto earthquake. Japanese media described her coverage of the disaster as a broadcast that made 250,000,000 Chinese-speaking viewers across the world cry. She was also the first Chinese reporter to relay news on the scene at the time of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011. Her tear-filled commentary on the tsunami and its devastating effects is well known across China, as is her blog (Weibo), which was first to report on the disaster in Chinese. She has covered the devastating effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster for many years, and in 2016 produced the documentary “Fukushima Five Years On” which follows the continuing struggle of over 170,000 still displaced victims.

Exclusive interview with the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Mr. Yoshihide Suga in Oct. 2016

Li is considered the premier source for commentary on China-Japan relations by Japanese media, and her reports were followed closely during the 2015 protests against the security reform bills.Japanese newspaper The Mainichi has referred to her as “The Chinese foreign correspondent with the most in-depth understanding of Japan” and has remarked that she is an indispensible presence as a reporter in the nation. In 2014, The Mainichi interviewed Li, praising her ability to report objectively, even as political relations sour. She was cited by them as “a reporter to watch” for her efforts to report on location. In 2015, the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper featured a special on her, showcasing her desire to share unbiased news from Japan to China.

Though the Japanese kisha clubs (press clubs) are virtually impossible for foreign networks to join, LI’s diligent work brought Phoenix Television Tokyo branch within the closed doors. Because of this, she is the only Chinese reporter with mostly free access to the prime minister’s official residence.

Li is well known throughout Chinese media for directly confronting and asking pressing questions to right-wing politicians such as Shintaro Ishihara, former Tokyo governor. When deputy prime minister and finance minister Taro Aso vilified foreign media—an action that was widely reported as an embarrassment—Japanese media commended Li for her levelheaded conduct in response.

Li is distinguished and professionally minded reporter, and has been awarded the annual Phoenix Television Award for best reporter three times.

Before joining Phoenix Television, Li was a Chinese language anchorwoman for NHK World for many years.

Li has graduated Keio University’s Graduate School of Media and Governance masters and doctorate programs, with a major in international relations.

Exclusive interview with the Secretary General of Japan’s ruling party - Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai in Apr. 2017