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 around 70% of the country's terrain is mountainous, transmitting TV and radio signals proves to be a large challenge. Government regulations for broadcasting are also extremely complicated and strict. 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. Western movies are also shown, many with a subchannel for English.

There are no all-English TV channels except for cable and satellite. In areas near US military bases there is often the American Forces Network radio which anyone can tune in to.

TV networks

Threre are 6 nationwide television networks, as follows:

1. NHK (日本放送協会 Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai). NHK is a Japanese public service broadcaster. The company is financed through "viewer fees", similar to the licence fee system used in the UK to fund the BBC. Because NHK is a publical broadcast network, the standpoint of NHK is impartial. In reality, NHK deliberately avoids making political comments. NHK has 2 terrestrial TV channnels, unlike the other TV networks (in the Tokyo region - channel 1 ("Sōgō" (General)) and channel 3 ("Kyoiku" (Education)).
2. Nippon Television (日本テレビ放送網/日テレ Nihon-Terebi/Nittere). Conservative. In Tokyo region, channel 4. Affiliated with the Yomiuri Shimbun. In recent years, NTV has been plagued by a ratings bribery scandal, in which its Chairman, Seiichiro Ujiie, was forced to step down, and scandals over staging of news broadcasts.
3. TBS (東京放送 Tōkyō Hōsō, Tokyo Broadcasting System). Liberal. However, the famous news program "Chikushi Tetsuya's News 23" is sometimes regarded as a "Left-wing" 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, e.g. 60 Minutes). In Tokyo region, channel 6.
4. Fuji Television (フジテレビジョン). Right-wing or conservative. Affiliated with the Fujisankei Communications conglomerate, which includes the Sankei Shimbun. In Tokyo region, channel 8.
5. TV Asahi (テレビ朝日). Left-wing or liberal. Affiliated with the Asahi Shimbun. It had a famous TV news program titled "News Station" led by main caster Hiroshi Kume for 18 years. It aired last on March 26, 2004. In Tokyo region, channel 10.
6. TV Tokyo (テレビ東京). Focuses on economic news. Also known for its anime programs. Has ties with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper. In Tokyo region, channel 12.

The political views of the networks can be summarized as follows:

Summary of the Political Standpoint of TV Networks

Left	Liberal	Middle	Conservative	Right
	TBS TV Asahi	NHK TV Tokyo (or conservative)	Fuji Television Nippon 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. Definitions of liberal/conservative have been formed based on US ideologies and may not conform to Liberal/conservative – Left/right boundaries in other countries.

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.

Despite this, Japan does have both cable television (in many communities) and satellite television. The latter includes broadcasts by NHK, WOWOW, and SKY PerfecTV!.

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

See also

• Japanese television programs
• List of Japanese language television channels

Radio networks

AM radio

1. NHK Radio 1, NHK Radio 2
2. Japan Radio Network --- TBS radio（TBSラジオ)
3. National Radio Network --- Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. inc (文化放送) and Nippon Broadcasting System (ニッポン放送)

FM radio

1. NHK-FM
2. Japan FM Network --- Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co.,ltd.
3. Japan FM League --- J-Wave Inc.
4. Mega net --- FM Interwave (Inter-FM)

See also

• Lists of statio radions in Asia

Magazines

Weekly magazines

1. AERA (アエラ).
2. Friday (フライデー). Photo magazine.
3. Josei Jishin (女性自身). For women.
4. Nikkei Business (日経ビジネス). Economic magazine.
5. Shuukan Asahi (週刊朝日).
6. Shuukan Economist (週刊エコノミスト). Economic magazine.
7. Shuukan Kinyoubi (週刊金曜日). Strong liberal.
8. Shuukan Bunshun (週刊文春). Conservative.
9. Shuukan Diamond (週刊ダイヤモンド). Economic magazine.
10. Shuukan Gendai (週刊現代).
11. Shuukan Josei (週刊女性). For women.
12. Shuukan Post (週刊ポスト).
13. Shuukan Shinchou (週刊新潮). Strong conservative.
14. Shuukan Toyo Keizai (週刊東洋経済). Economic magazine.
15. Spa! (スパ!).
16. Sunday Mainichi (サンデー毎日).　Liberal.
17. Touyou Keizai (東洋経済). Economic magazine. It has long history and reliable.
18. Yomiuri Weekly (ヨミウリウィークリー).

Monthly magazines

1. Bungei Shunjuu (文藝春秋). Conservative, although some say this magazine is middle.
2. Chuuou Kouron (中央公論). Middle or Conservative.
3. Gendai (現代). Middle.
4. Sekai (世界). Strong Liberal.
5. Shokun! (諸君!, Gentleman!). Strong Conservative.
6. Ushio (潮). It has a strong connection with Soka Gakkai.

Newspapers

Summary of the Political Standpoint of Newspapers

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

1. Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞). Conservative. 1st ranked in daily circulation -- around 10 million per day. The Yomiuri Shimbun, being very widely circulated, takes the most popular stance. The Yomiuri exchanged a special contract with British The Times. Affiliated with Nippon TV.
2. Asahi Shimbun (朝日新聞). Left-wing or liberal. 2nd ranked in daily circulation -- around 8 million per day. Known for its preeminent writers as well as the frequency with which its articles are used for university admission examinations. Affiliated with TV Asahi.
3. Mainichi Shimbun (毎日新聞). Liberal. 3rd ranked in daily circulation -- around 4 million per day. Affiliated with TBS.
4. 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 per day. Affiliated with TV Tokyo.
5. Sankei Shimbun (産経新聞). Right-wing or conservative. 6th ranked in daily circulation -- around 2 million per day. Known as the nationalist's newspaper and upheld formidably by the right. Affiliated with Fuji TV.

There are also regional newspapers like the Tokyo Shimbun (東京新聞) in Kanto, Chunichi Shimbun (中日新聞) in Chubu, Nishinippon Shimbun (西日本新聞) in Kyushu, Hokkaido Shimbun(北海道新聞) in Hokkaido, Kahoku Shimpo (河北新報) in Tohoku, 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 (電通). 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 (博報堂). 2nd largest Japanese advertising agency.

Wire service

1. Jiji Press (時事通信).
2. Kyodo News (共同通信).

External links

• Unofficial Guide to Japanese mass-media
• Japan Media Review
• Companion website to the book A Public Betrayed: An Inside Look at Japanese Media Atrocities and Their Warnings to the West (ISBN 0895260468)
• Media Intimidation in Japan, discussion paper by David McNeill in the electronic journal of contemporary japanese studies, 27 March 2001.
• Media and Communication in Japan, discussion paper by Barbara Gatzen in the electronic journal of contemporary japanese studies, 17 April 2001.