In 1999, Canadian journalist Tim Hornyak visited Japan on a work-vacation visa, only to stay for nine years after landing a job at Kyodo News and NHK. He returned again in 2013 on assignment for the travel publication, Lonely Planet, and he never left again after meeting the woman who later became his wife.
In his 20 years working as a freelance journalist, Hornyak has published in The New York Times, Scientific American, CNBS, CNET, The Japan Times, and so much more with a primary focus of technology.
His other creative outlet includes writing and performing jazzy-pop music on guitar and base. Some of his works were broadcasted by radio stations in Tokyo and Fukuoka.
Hornyak now lives with his wife and two small children in the heart of Tokyo.
Tim Hornyak by Benjiamin Park
Q: Why did you decide to pursue journalism as a career?
A: Ever since I was young, I was able to write fairly easily, it just came naturally to me. When you look around for the kind of work that you can do as a writer, there are many options involved in using language, like teaching English in universities or overseas. But I wanted to be more involved in the real world and in the everyday life of people outside of university. So journalism was appealing to me. You get to learn new things when doing journalism. That's what I really liked about it.
Q: What is your favorite piece done in Japan?
A: Last year I was invited to go to Kyoto to an event with the world's top Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse in his hotel restaurant. This guy is like a god of cooking, and I'm having lunch with him and we interviewed him in French. We were talking about his philosophy about cooking. That Japan Times story was the highlight of my year.
Q: You’ve worked for both Canadian and Japanese media, what’s different about journalism in Japan?
A: The way journalism is done here is very different. There’s a kind of gatekeeper for news called Kisha club (journalist’s club), and they control the flow of news at all kinds of institutions like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, etc. Usually, journalists have to spend a lot of time in kisha clubs where they get spoon-fed information from authority figures.
Q: Is it different for a freelance journalist working for English publications?
A: As a freelancer, I don't have to bother with any of that. My experiences with freelance writing for domestic and overseas outlets are all about topics that interest me, such as technology and science, not politics.
Q: What is the reality of being a freelance journalist?
A: You get the fantasy, then you get the reality, and you have to be able to balance. I wouldn't recommend becoming a freelance journalist. It's really tough, especially if you want to have a family. But despite all the difficulties of the job, the uncertainties, low pay, and demoralizing nature, you just have to remember what makes you love it in the first place.
Q: Do you have any advice for young journalists who also want to freelance?
A: Try to specialize in something like technology, cuisine, fashion, or tourism. You also have to be determined to be disciplined. Defining your principles is useful too, meaning that following your principles in terms of how much money you're willing to take for a job or refuse low-paying jobs. Most importantly, you got to have the drive and passion. You have to love it.
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