If they'd actually bothered to get one or two unapologetically pro-Japanese experts into advisory positions, they'd have a hit.

not necessarily, hollywood pulls a bait-and-switch this way all the time. They'll hire an expert consultant for clout...only to completely ignore the expert and do what they want anyway and claim they 'consulted' with an expert on whatever they get heat for... been doing it for years is my understanding... meanwhile the expert has to choose between having their reputation dragged through the mud or a potential breach of contract suit if they speak out.

wish I could think of a good example, but yeah.