Photo/Illutration The website of Kyoko Shimbun

“Because of global warming, the Oxbridge University Committee, which sets the standard for the correct use of the English language, has recommended that the word ‘summer,’ which is in its comparative degree, be upgraded to the superlative ‘summest.’

“The word summer derived from ‘sum,’ meaning the sun. And this is the first time in about 900 years that the sun’s heat has necessitated this change from the comparative degree to the superlative.”

The above is an excerpt from a report that appeared this past summer on a parody news site called Kyoko Shimbun (Bogus Newspaper).

The entire story, of course, is a complete fabrication, including the university mentioned and its history. But improbable as it is, it isn’t entirely impossible, either. In fact, the paper has made me grin many times.

It was inaugurated 20 years ago, I am told. Its anonymous founder/publisher is known only as UK, who has single-handedly written more than 1,000 stories.

For this newspaper that pledges to be “bogus” in its mission statement, its worst nightmare is when its fake news happens in real life.

In fact, UK had to issue an apology when he fibbed about the government starting to advertise “Japan’s elegance” to the world, and this was followed by the trade and economy ministry publishing a booklet on something along the same lines.

The culture of satire has existed since ancient times. But today, the line between truth and lies has been blurred by so-called fake news, giving parody a bad rap. This is terribly unfortunate.

I asked UK how difficult things must have become since Donald Trump’s re-election. But to my surprise, UK’s reply was that things are actually fine.

“For instance, if I were to write something preposterous, like ‘Trump appointing himself to all posts in his one-man Cabinet,’ my readers would think that plausible,” UK explained.

Matt Gaetz just withdrew as Trump’s pick for attorney general, and more hiccups may follow. I hope UK won’t have to issue any apologies in the days to come.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 23

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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