In recent years, the ‘rewriting’ of old books has become a major topic in the publishing industry.

The issue began in February this year when the British publishing house “Puffin Books” hired sensitivity readers to rewrite parts of the late Roald Dahl’s works. These readers check for language or expressions that could be criticized for racial or gender discrimination.

This Dahl controversy has elicited numerous opinions from authors.

Opinions vary from positive, such as “It is sometimes justified to make changes to children’s books,” “Having sensitivity readers involved in writing can result in good books,” to critical ones like “If you don’t like it, read something else.”

As our sensitivities and the meanings of words evolve over time, how is the media updating itself? We will explore this not only in the publishing industry but also in a broader perspective including music and film industries.

The new Barbie movie released this summer has become a global sensation. Set in both Barbie Land and the real world, the film unfolds a story rich in feminist themes. Barbie Land is a paradise ruled by women, featuring diverse, successful female dolls, while the protagonist Barbie learns about gender inequality in the real world and grows from it. The movie seems poised to continue attracting attention as a symbol of feminist history.

In mid-February this year, an advertisement for ‘Teen Double Eyelid Surgery’ by SBC Shinan Beauty Clinic caused controversy. The ad, displayed on trains, featured phrases like, “No fear of sweat, water, or bare face! Just three years of high school. I want to spend every second as cute as possible.” The criticism centered on the implication that double eyelids are cuter than single eyelids. It seems that the recent ‘body positive’ trend played a role in challenging this ad. Ads that catch the eye of many should focus more on the diversity of values.

On December 17, 2021, Sanseido’s national language dictionary was refreshed after about eight years, and words frequently used in the 90s and 00s, such as ‘Ko-Gyaru’ and ‘Chaku-Melo,’ disappeared. According to Sanseido’s representatives, the criteria for including words in the dictionary are whether they are widely used in everyday life and have been used for a long time, not just as trendy words. ‘Currently used words’ seem to be an important point.

Last year, artists Beyoncé and Lizzo changed some lyrics in their released songs. The issue was that certain terms are used offensively against disabled people in the UK, leading to a lot of criticism and thus, the lyric change. Historically, changing lyrics for various reasons is not uncommon, but what stands out in this case is the amount of discussion and the swiftness of response. The music industry might be evolving due to changes in public consciousness.