Mass media in Japan

In Japan, as with most countries, there are television and radio networks. For the most part, television networks were established based on the capital contribution from existing radio networks at that time. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the capital relationship between the media (such as the relationship between newspaper, radio and TV networks).

Since the country is around 70% mountainous, TV and radio signals prove to be a large challenge. Government regulations for broadcasting are also extremely complicated and strict, resulting in a comparatively small number of stations for such a large population. Nationwide there are about 89 FM stations and 215 AM stations. The other 855 stations are low power repeaters to reach valleys and secluded areas. With television this is even more so, with 211 stations and 7341 repeaters. Japanese AM is the same as in many Western nations (530 to 1600 kHz), but their FM is from 76 to 90 MHz, resulting not only in a very limited number of possible stations, but any FM radio receivers from outside Japan are all but useless.

For the most part, variety shows, serial dramas, and news constitute a large percentage of Japanese evening shows. Several Western movies are also shown, many with a subchannel for English. There are no all-English channels except for cable and satellite, but in areas near US military bases there is often the Armed Forces Radio Network which anyone can tune in to.

TV networks

Threre are 6 nationwide television networks, as follows:

Summary of the Political Standpoint of TV Networks

Left	Strong Liberal	Liberal	Middle/Liberal	Middle	Middle/Conservative	Conservative	Strong Conservative	Right
		TV Asahi	TBS	NHK	TV Tokyo (n.b. some people say TV Tokyo stands on the "middle," not "middle/conservative"	Nippon TV	Fuji Television

N.B.: Opinion could especially be different on the absolute degree in respect to liberal or conservative. In this sense, this chart serves to show relative (political) position of TV networks. This disclaimer could also apply to the charts for newspapers and magazines mentioned below.

1. NHK (日本放送協会 Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai). Japanese public broadcast network. Its revenue comes from "listening fees". Residents of Japan who own a TV are obliged to pay the listening fee of about USD 12 per month under the "Hōsō Hō" (Broadcasting Act). However, the act does not stipulate any punishment for faliure of payment. Because NHK is a publical broadcast network, the standpoint of NHK is impartial. In reality, NHK deliberately avoids making political comments. Hence, some say NHK usually does not contribute to journalism but some feel that plays a role in conveying reliable information at least. NHK has 2 TV channnels, unlike the other TV networks (in the Tokyo region - channel 1 ("Sōgō" (General)) and channel 3 ("Kyoiku" (Education)). Web site: Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (Japanese) NHK World (in English)
2. Nippon TV (日本テレビ放送網/日テレ Nippon Television). Conservative. In Tokyo region, channel 4. It is also known as the owner of the baseball team "Yomiuri Kyojin Gun" (Yomiuri Giants). Website: Nippon Television
3. TBS (東京放送 Tōkyō Hōsō, Tokyo Broadcasting System). Middle or Middle/Liberal of the political spectrum. However, the famous news program "Chikushi Tetsuya's News 23" is sometimes regarded as a "liberal" program. The main anchor of this program, "Chikushi Tetsuya," is the translator of David Halberstam's "The Powers That Be." He is also influenced by the attitude of CBS News (exempli gratia, 60 Minutes). In Tokyo region, channel 6. TBS
4. Fuji_TV (フジ テレビジョン). Rightist and Conservative. In Tokyo region, channel 8. Website: Fuji_TV.
5. TV_Asahi (テレビ朝日). Liberal. It had a famous TV news program titled "News Station." It has led by main caster Hiroshi Kume for 18 years, and it ended its program run on March 26, 2004. In Tokyo region, channel 10. Website: TV_Asahi
6. TV_Tokyo (テレビ東京). Focuses on the news in Tokyo region as well as economic news. In Tokyo region, channel 12. Website: TV Tokyo

In Japan, cable TV and multi-channnel satellite TV are less popular than in the United States. Therefore, these 6 TV networks share almost the whole of the viewers in Japan (population 120 million, and 45 million households). As a consequence of this oligopoly, it is not unusual when a specific TV program gets 20% of audience appreciation rating. As well, advertisements and other messages are very effective at reaching citizens. In this sense, TV as a medium has a strong power.

There are local TV stations (most of them are affiliated companies of the above-mentioned nationwide TV networks), but in light of their small presence, they are not of significant note.

Magazines

Weekly magazines

1. AERA.
2. Friday (magazine). Photo magazine.
3. Josei Jishin. For women.
4. Nikkei Business. Economic magazine.
5. Shuukan Asahi.
6. Shuukan Economist. Economic magazine.
7. Shuukan Kinyoubi. Strong liberal.
8. Shuukan Bunshun. Conservative.
9. Shuukan Diamond. Economic magazine.
10. Shuukan Gendai.
11. Shuukan Josei. For women.
12. Shuukan Post.
13. Shuukan Shinchou. Conservative.
14. Shuukan Toyo Keizai. Economic magazine.
15. Spa!.
16. Sunday Mainichi.
17. Yomiuri Weekly.

Monthly magazines

1. Bungei Shunjuu. Conservative, although some say this magazine is middle.
2. Chuuou Kouron. Middle.
3. Fujin Kouron. For women.
4. Gendai. Middle.
5. Sekai. Strong Liberal.
6. Shokun (Gentleman!). Conservative.
7. Ushio. It has a strong connection with Soka Gakkai.

Newspapers

Summary of the Political Standpoint of Newspapers

Left	Strong Liberal	Liberal	Middle/Liberal	Middle	Middle/Conservative	Conservative	Strong Conservative	Right
Akahata		Asahi Shimbun		Mainichi Shimbun	Nihon Keizai Shimbun (n.b. the editorial writers and leading writers tend to convey a more conservative sense of values.)	Yomiuri Shimbun	Sankei Shimbun

n.b.: owing to its connection to the New Komei Party, Seikyou Shimbun changes its position in line with the position of the party (for example, it changes its position depending upon whether the New Komei Party is one of the ruling parties or not).

1. Asahi Shimbun (朝日新聞). Liberal. It has a strong connection with TV_Asahi. Website: Asahi Shimbun 2nd ranked in daily circulation -- around 8 million per day.
2. Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞). Conservative. 1st ranked in daily circulation -- around 10 million per day. It has a strong connection with NTV Website: Yomiuri Shimbun
3. Sankei Shimbun (産経新聞). Rightist and Conservative. It has a strong connection with Fuji_TV. Known as the nationalist's paper.
4. Mainichi Shimbun (毎日新聞). Middle. 3rd ranked in daily circulation -- around 3 million. It has a connection with TBS.
5. Seikyo Shimbun. Religious paper of Soka Gakkai that has 9 million believers. Soka Gakkai is linked to "New Komei Party" and New Komei Party sometimes hold a casting vote for both national and regional election because of its organized vote.
6. Akahata (しんぶん赤旗). An organ paper of Nihon Kyōsan Tō (Japanese Communist Party).
7. Nihon Keizai Shimbun (日本経済新聞). Economic paper similar to the Wall Street Journal. 4th ranked in daily circulation -- around 3 million. It has a strong connection with TV_Tokyo.

There are also regional newspapers like the Chunichi Shimbun in Chubu, NishiNihon Shinbun(Western Japan Newspaper) in Kyushu, and English versions of the 5 major newspapers. The Japan Times is the only newspaper exclusively for English speakers. As with other countries, surveys tend to show that the number of newspaper subscribers is declining. This trend will probably continue for some time.

Advertising agencies

These play an important role in the Japanese mass media. There are two big advertisement agencies in Japan.

1. Dentsu. Largest Japanese advertising agency (4th worldwide). It has an enormous presence, especially in TV media. This company went public in November 2001. This company also has a strong connection to the legislative branch of Japan. Website: Dentsu
2. Hakuhodo. 2nd largest Japanese advertising agency.

Wire service

1. Jiji Tsushin.
2. Kyodo Tsushin.

External links

• Unofficial Guide to Japanese mass-media