Media of Japan
Encyclopedia
The communications media of Japan include numerous television
and radio
networks as well as newspaper
s and magazine
s in Japan
. 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).
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 all-English television channels on cable and satellite (with Japanese subtitles). In areas near U.S. military bases there is often the American Forces Network
radio which anyone can tune in to.
There are also regional newspapers like the quasi-national Tokyo Shimbun
(東京新聞) in Kanto
and Chunichi Shimbun
(中日新聞) in Chūbu (both owned by the Chunichi company and with a cumulative circulation that places them 4th, nationally), Nishinippon Shimbun
(西日本新聞) in Kyūshū
, Hokkaido Shimbun
(北海道新聞) in Hokkaidō
, Kahoku Shimpo (河北新報) in Tohoku
, and English versions of the 5 major newspapers. Business newspapers like Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
(The Business & Technology Daily News) are also widely read. The Japan Times
is the only newspaper exclusively for English speakers, although other dailies, including the Yomiuri Shimbun
and the Asahi Shimbun
, produce English newspapers and/or provide English content on their websites. Seikyo Shimbun (聖教新聞) is a daily newspaper for Soka Gakkai International
, a new religious movement.
As with other countries, surveys tend to show that the number of newspaper subscribers is declining, a trend which is expected to continue.
which take the lead in the network of commercial broadcasting
. The five stations are Nippon Television
, Tokyo Broadcasting System
, Fuji Television
, TV Asahi
, and TV Tokyo
. Their head offices are in Tokyo
, and they are called zaikyō kī kyoku or kī kyoku .
The key stations make news shows and entertainment programs, and wholesale them to local broadcasting stations through the networks. Although local broadcasting stations also manufacture programs, the usage of the key stations is very large, and 55.7% of the TV program total sales in the 2002 fiscal year (April 2002 to March 2003) were sold by the key stations. Furthermore, the networks are strongly connected with newspaper publishing companies, and they influence the media very strongly. For this reason, they are often criticized.
In addition, there is CS broadcasting
and Internet
distribution by the subsidiaries of the key stations. The definition of key station has changed a little in recent years.
and Radio Nikkei
) which performs terrestrial television
broadcasts has an appointed broadcast region. In Article 2 of the Japanese Broadcasting Law (放送法), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
defines the fixed zone where the broadcast of the same program for every classification of broadcast is simultaneously receivable. So, the broadcasting company constructs a network with other regions, and with this network establishes the exchange of news
or programs. The broadcasting companies which send out many programs to these networks are called key stations.
Presently the broadcasting stations located in Tokyo send out the programs for the whole country. However, although TOKYO MX
is in the Tokyo region, it is only an Tokyo
region UHF independent station
.
Broadcasting stations in Nagoya and other areas are older than those in Tokyo. However, in order to meet the large costs of making programs key stations were established in Tokyo to sell programs nationwide. Some local stations have a higher profit ratio since they can merely buy programs from the networks.
) have a program supply frame at prime time
etc. and sent out many programs subsequently to kī kyoku, they are called jun kī kyoku .
。
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
networks as well as newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s and magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
s in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. 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).
For the most part, variety shows
Japanese variety show
Japanese variety show is a entertainment television program made up of a variety of original stunts, musical performances, comedy skits, quiz contests, and other acts.-Current situation:...
, serial dramas
Japanese television drama
, also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others...
, and news constitute a large percentage of Japanese evening shows. Western movies are also shown, many with a subchannel for English.
There are all-English television channels on cable and satellite (with Japanese subtitles). In areas near U.S. military bases there is often the American Forces Network
American Forces Network
The American Forces Network is the brand name used by the United States Armed Forces American Forces Radio and Television Service for its entertainment and command internal information networks worldwide...
radio which anyone can tune in to.
TV networks
There are 6 nationwide television networks, as follows:- NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
(日本放送協会 Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai). NHK is a Japanese public service broadcasterPublic broadcastingPublic broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
. The company is financed through "viewer fees", similar to the licence feeTelevision licenceA television licence is an official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts...
system used in the UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to fund the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. NHK deliberately maintains neutral reportings as a public broadcast station, even refuse to mention commodity brand names. NHK has 2 terrestrial TV channels, unlike the other TV networks (in the Tokyo region—channel 1 ("Sōgō" (General)) and channel 3 ("Kyoiku" (Education)). - Nippon Television Network SystemNippon Televisionis a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
(NNS)/Nippon News NetworkNippon News NetworkNippon News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is owned by Nippon Television, which itself is controlled by publishing company Yomiuri Shimbun. NNN operates a 24-hour news network, News 24, and its programming is aired on NTV stations.-Nippon News Network...
(NNN) headed by Nippon TelevisionNippon Televisionis a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
(日本テレビ放送網/日テレ Nihon-Terebi/Nittere; NTV). In the Tokyo region, channel 4. Affiliated with the Yomiuri ShimbunYomiuri ShimbunThe is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...
. - TBS NetworksTokyo Broadcasting System, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
/Japan News Network (JNN) headed by TBSTokyo Broadcasting System, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
(東京放送 Tōkyō Hōsō, Tokyo Broadcasting System). In the Tokyo region, channel 6. Affiliated with the Mainichi ShimbunMainichi ShimbunThe is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...
. - Fuji Network SystemFuji Televisionis a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
(FNS)/Fuji News NetworkFuji News NetworkFuji News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is run by Fuji Television Network, Inc..-Fuji News Network stations:-External links:*...
(FNN) headed by Fuji TelevisionFuji Televisionis a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
(フジテレビジョン; Fuji TV). Affiliated with the Sankei ShimbunSankei Shimbunis a daily newspaper in Japan published by the . It has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan, and is considered as one of the five "national" newspapers...
. In the Tokyo region, channel 8. - TV Asahi NetworkTV Asahi, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
/All-Nippon News NetworkAll-Nippon News Network, or ANN, is a commercial television news network in Japan run by TV Asahi Corporation.-All-Nippon News Network stations:-Remote Controller Buttons of Digital TV:*1: Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting*3: TV Miyazaki*5: 20 ANN stations...
(ANN) headed by tv asahiTV Asahi, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
(テレビ朝日). Affiliated with the Asahi ShimbunAsahi ShimbunThe is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
. In the Tokyo region, channel 10. - TV Tokyo NetworkTXN- TV Tokyo Network stations :-External links:*...
(TXN) headed by TV TOKYOTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
(テレビ東京). Has ties with the Nihon Keizai ShimbunNihon Keizai Shimbunis one of the largest media corporations in Japan. Nikkei specializes in publishing financial, business and industry news. Its main news publications include:* Nihon Keizai Shimbun , a leading economic newspaper....
newspaper. In the Tokyo region, channel 12.
AM radio
- NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
Radio 1, NHK Radio 2 - Japan Radio NetworkJapan Radio NetworkJapan Radio Network or JRN is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TBS Radio & Communications, Inc. .-Japan Radio Network stations:...
(JRN)—Flagship Station: TBS radioTBS Radio & Communicationsis the flagship radio station of Japan Radio Network in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded by Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc. on March 21, 2000...
(TBSラジオ) - National Radio NetworkNational Radio Network (Japan)National Radio Network is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, Incorporated and Nippon Broadcasting System, Incorporated . It is not connected in any way with the National Radio Network in the United States.-National Radio Network stations:...
(NRN)—Flagship Stations: Nippon Cultural BroadcastingNippon Cultural Broadcastingis a Japanese radio station in Tokyo which broadcasts to the Kanto area. It is one of the two flagship radio stations of National Radio Network and also has a relationship with JOLF and Fuji Television....
(文化放送) and Nippon Broadcasting SystemNippon Broadcasting System, or JOLF, is a Japanese radio station in Tokyo. Together with Nippon Cultural Broadcasting it is a flagship station of the National Radio Network...
(ニッポン放送) - Radio NikkeiRadio Nikkeiis Japan's domestic shortwave commercial radio broadcasting station headquartered in 9-15 Akasaka 1-chōme, Minato, Tokyo.-Features:* It is Japan's only domestic shortwave broadcasting station....
is an independent shortwave station broadcasts nationwide in two content channels.
FM radio
- NHK-FM
- Japan FM Network (JFN)JFNJapan FM Network is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TOKYO FM.-Japan FM Network stations:- Overseas station :- Originally in JFN, but now independent :- Stations that are planning to have frequencies removed :...
—Tokyo FMTokyo FMTokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a radio station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flagship station of the Japan FM Network .-Program:*Countdown Station** DHC Countdown jp** cosmo Pops Best 10...
Broadcasting Co.,ltd. - Japan FM League—J-WaveJ-WaveJ-Wave is a commercial radio station based in Tokyo, Japan, broadcasting on 81.3 FM from the Tokyo Tower to the Tokyo area. J-Wave airs mostly music covering a wide range of formats. The station is considered the most popular among FM broadcasts in Tokyo, and has surprised the radio broadcast...
Inc. - MegaNetMegaNetThe or is Japan's only network of multi-lingual commercial radio stations. Currently all such stations are members of the network. The flagship station is InterFM in Tokyo.They all broadcast in FM...
—FM Interwave (InterFMInterFM-See also:*The Japan Times* *TV Tokyo...
)
Weekly magazines
- Metropolis MagazineMetropolis MagazineMetropolis is an 80-page free weekly city guide, news and classified ads glossy magazine published by Crisscross KK targeting English-speaking foreigners in Tokyo, Japan. As of April 2011, its circulation was about 30,000.-History:...
Japan's number 1 English magazine Metropolis (メトロポリス). - AeraAERA (magazine)Aera is a Japanese weekly magazine, printed in gravure, published by the Asahi Shimbun. The magazine combines photographs and news stories. In May 1988, Aera replaced Asahi Journal, a more substantial weekly....
(アエラ). - Friday (フライデー). Photo magazine.
- Josei Jishin (女性自身). For women.
- Nikkei Business (日経ビジネス). Economic magazine.
- Shuukan Asahi (週刊朝日). Liberal.
- Shuukan Economist (週刊エコノミスト). Economic magazine.
- Shuukan Kinyoubi (週刊金曜日). Strong liberal.
- Shuukan Bunshun (週刊文春). Conservative.
- Shuukan Diamond (週刊ダイヤモンド). Economic magazine.
- Shuukan Gendai (週刊現代).
- Shuukan Josei (週刊女性). For women.
- Shuukan Post (週刊ポスト).
- Shuukan Shinchou (週刊新潮). Conservative.
- Shuukan Toyo Keizai (週刊東洋経済). Economic magazine.
- Spa! (スパ!).
- Sunday Mainichi (サンデー毎日). Liberal.
- Yomiuri Weekly (読売ウィークリー).
Monthly magazines
- Tokyo WeekenderTokyo weekenderTokyo Weekender magazine is the oldest free English publication in Japan.Founded in 1970 by Corky Alexander, the Weekender is published bi-monthly and is distributed in central Tokyo and via Fuji San, Japan's largest magazine subscription site....
Japan's first English magazine. - Bungei ShunjuuBungeishunju (magazine)is a leading Japanese monthly magazine published by Bungeishunjū. The magazine was started by writer Kikuchi Kan in 1923 in tandem with the founding of Bungeishunjū. The name of the magazine came from the title of the literary review column in the magazine Shinchō by Kan...
(文藝春秋). Conservative, although some say this magazine is middle. - Chuuou Kouron (中央公論). Affiliated with the Yomiuri ShimbunYomiuri ShimbunThe is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...
. Conservative. - Gendai (現代). Center.
- Ronza (論座). Published by the Asahi ShimbunAsahi ShimbunThe is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
Company. Liberal. - Seiron (正論). Published by the Sankei ShimbunSankei Shimbunis a daily newspaper in Japan published by the . It has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan, and is considered as one of the five "national" newspapers...
Company. Right-wing. - Sekai (世界). Strong Liberal.
- Shokun! (諸君!, Gentleman!). Strong Conservative.
- UshioUshioUshio may refer to:* Japanese destroyer Ushio, a World War II IJN ship,* Keizo Ushio, a Japanese sculptor* Ushio Okazaki, a fictional character from Clannad ....
(潮). It has a strong connection with Soka Gakkai InternationalSoka Gakkai Internationalis a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin....
. - Todai (灯台). It has a strong connection with Soka Gakkai InternationalSoka Gakkai Internationalis a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin....
. - Fukuoka Now - Monthly multilingual magazine covering Fukuoka and Kyushu.
- Axiom Magazine - Online at www.axiommagazine.jp but a monthly periodical from December 2011
Newspapers
- Yomiuri ShimbunYomiuri ShimbunThe is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei 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 TelevisionNippon Televisionis a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
. - Asahi ShimbunAsahi ShimbunThe is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
(朝日新聞). Left of center 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 AsahiTV Asahi, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
. - Mainichi ShimbunMainichi ShimbunThe is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...
(毎日新聞). Liberal. 3rd ranked in daily circulation—around 4 million per day. Affiliated with Tokyo Broadcasting SystemTokyo Broadcasting System, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
. - Nikkei ShimbunNihon Keizai Shimbunis one of the largest media corporations in Japan. Nikkei specializes in publishing financial, business and industry news. Its main news publications include:* Nihon Keizai Shimbun , a leading economic newspaper....
(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 TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
. - Sankei ShimbunSankei Shimbunis a daily newspaper in Japan published by the . It has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan, and is considered as one of the five "national" newspapers...
(産経新聞). Right-wing or conservative, pro-American and anti-Chinese newspaper. 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 TelevisionFuji Televisionis a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
.
There are also regional newspapers like the quasi-national Tokyo Shimbun
Tokyo Shimbun
The Tokyo Shimbun is a Japanese newspaper published by The Chunichi Shimbun Company. The group publishes newspapers under the brand name of The Tokyo Shimbun in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and under The Chunichi Shimbun in the Nagoya Metropolitan Area. The group’s combined daily morning...
(東京新聞) in Kanto
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
and Chunichi Shimbun
Chunichi Shimbun
The is a Japanese daily "broadsheet" newspaper published in mostly Aichi Prefecture and neighboring regions by . It is the owner of the Chunichi Dragons baseball team, and is also known as the main organizer of a famous international gymnastics event, the Chunichi Cup...
(中日新聞) in Chūbu (both owned by the Chunichi company and with a cumulative circulation that places them 4th, nationally), Nishinippon Shimbun
Nishinippon Shimbun
The is a Japanese language daily newspaper published by . As of May 2006, it has the circulation of a million as a total of morning and evening editions. Headquartered in Fukuoka, Fukuoka, the newspaper cover reader is Kyūshū....
(西日本新聞) in Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, Hokkaido Shimbun
Hokkaido Shimbun
The , which is often abbreviated as , is a Japanese language daily newspaper published mainly in Hokkaidō, Japan by . As of November 2006, its morning edition has a circulation of 1,208,175. It was first published in Sapporo in 1887.- External links :*...
(北海道新聞) in Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Kahoku Shimpo (河北新報) in Tohoku
Tohoku region
The is a geographical area of Japan. The region occupies the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region consists of six prefectures : Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata....
, and English versions of the 5 major newspapers. Business newspapers like Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun , one of the leading daily newspapers in Japan, specializes in business and industrial affairs, and is published by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. . Circulation is around 420,000. The newspaper was inaugurated in 1915...
(The Business & Technology Daily News) are also widely read. The Japan Times
The Japan Times
The Japan Times is an English language newspaper published in Japan. Unlike its competitors, the Daily Yomiuri and the International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun, it is not affiliated with a Japanese language media organization...
is the only newspaper exclusively for English speakers, although other dailies, including the Yomiuri Shimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun
The is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...
and the Asahi Shimbun
Asahi Shimbun
The is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
, produce English newspapers and/or provide English content on their websites. Seikyo Shimbun (聖教新聞) is a daily newspaper for Soka Gakkai International
Soka Gakkai International
is a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin....
, a new religious movement.
As with other countries, surveys tend to show that the number of newspaper subscribers is declining, a trend which is expected to continue.
Key stations: television and radio
In Japan, there are five broadcasting stationsBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
which take the lead in the network of commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting is the broadcasting of television programs and radio programming by privately owned corporate media, as opposed to state sponsorship...
. The five stations are Nippon Television
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
, Tokyo Broadcasting System
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
, Fuji Television
Fuji Television
is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
, TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
, and TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
. Their head offices are in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and they are called zaikyō kī kyoku or kī kyoku .
The key stations make news shows and entertainment programs, and wholesale them to local broadcasting stations through the networks. Although local broadcasting stations also manufacture programs, the usage of the key stations is very large, and 55.7% of the TV program total sales in the 2002 fiscal year (April 2002 to March 2003) were sold by the key stations. Furthermore, the networks are strongly connected with newspaper publishing companies, and they influence the media very strongly. For this reason, they are often criticized.
In addition, there is CS broadcasting
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
and Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
distribution by the subsidiaries of the key stations. The definition of key station has changed a little in recent years.
Outline
In Japan, every broadcasting company (except NHKNHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
and Radio Nikkei
Radio Nikkei
is Japan's domestic shortwave commercial radio broadcasting station headquartered in 9-15 Akasaka 1-chōme, Minato, Tokyo.-Features:* It is Japan's only domestic shortwave broadcasting station....
) which performs terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
broadcasts has an appointed broadcast region. In Article 2 of the Japanese Broadcasting Law (放送法), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
The ' or Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is a cabinet-level ministry in the Government of Japan. The English name Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications was used prior to 2004...
defines the fixed zone where the broadcast of the same program for every classification of broadcast is simultaneously receivable. So, the broadcasting company constructs a network with other regions, and with this network establishes the exchange of news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
or programs. The broadcasting companies which send out many programs to these networks are called key stations.
Presently the broadcasting stations located in Tokyo send out the programs for the whole country. However, although TOKYO MX
Tokyo Metropolitan Television
thumb|Tokyo Metropolitan Television old headquarters : Telecom Center Building is the only commercial television station in Tokyo, Japan that exclusively serves the city. It competes with Nippon Television, TV Asahi, Tokyo Broadcasting System, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television, all of which are...
is in the Tokyo region, it is only an Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
region UHF independent station
Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations
The , is a group of Japan's reception fee-free commercial terrestrial television stations which are not members of the major national networks that has flagship in Tokyo and Osaka....
.
Broadcasting stations in Nagoya and other areas are older than those in Tokyo. However, in order to meet the large costs of making programs key stations were established in Tokyo to sell programs nationwide. Some local stations have a higher profit ratio since they can merely buy programs from the networks.
Sub-key stations
Since the broadcasting stations which assign the head offices in Kansai region (especially in OsakaOsaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
) have a program supply frame at prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
etc. and sent out many programs subsequently to kī kyoku, they are called jun kī kyoku .
List of key stations
| Media | Network | Kī kyoku (Kantō) | Jun kī kyoku (Kinki) | Kikan kyoku (Chūkyō) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial television Terrestrial television Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials... |
Nippon News Network Nippon News Network Nippon News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is owned by Nippon Television, which itself is controlled by publishing company Yomiuri Shimbun. NNN operates a 24-hour news network, News 24, and its programming is aired on NTV stations.-Nippon News Network... (NNN) |
Nippon Television Nippon Television is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,... (NTV) |
Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation is a TV station joining Nippon News Network and Nippon Television Network System in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as "" on February 13, 1958... (ytv) |
Chūkyō Television Broadcasting (CTV) | |
| Japan News Network(JNN) | Tokyo Broadcasting System Tokyo Broadcasting System , TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named .... (TBS) |
Mainichi Broadcasting System Mainichi Broadcasting System is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc... (MBS) |
Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting is a regional radio and television service serving Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Its radio service is affiliated with the Japan Radio Network and its television service affiliated with the Japan News Network and the TBS Network.-Radio:Frequency... (CBC) |
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| Fuji News Network Fuji News Network Fuji News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is run by Fuji Television Network, Inc..-Fuji News Network stations:-External links:*... (FNN) |
Fuji Television Fuji Television is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the .... (CX) |
Kansai Telecasting Corporation Kansai Telecasting Corporation , often called or , is a TV station affiliated with Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System in Osaka, serving the Kansai region of Japan... (KTV) |
Tōkai Television Broadcasting Tokai Television Broadcasting Tokai Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a TV station affiliated with Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System , serving in Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture, Japan.-Offices:*the Headquarters - 14-27, Higashi-Sakura Itchome, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture,... (THK) |
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| All-Nippon News Network All-Nippon News Network , or ANN, is a commercial television news network in Japan run by TV Asahi Corporation.-All-Nippon News Network stations:-Remote Controller Buttons of Digital TV:*1: Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting*3: TV Miyazaki*5: 20 ANN stations... (ANN) |
TV Asahi TV Asahi , also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network.... (EX) |
Asahi Broadcasting Corporation Asahi Broadcasting Corporation is a regional radio and television broadcaster headquartered in Osaka, Japan, serving in the Kansai region.-Offices:*Headquarters: 1-30, Fukushima Itchome, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan... (ABC) |
Nagoya Broadcasting Network Nagoya Broadcasting Network , Nickname: Mētele is a TV station joining All-Nippon News Network in Nagoya. It is broadcast in Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture.-Analog:JOLX-TV*Nagoya TV Tower - Channel 11... (Mētere・NBN) |
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| TV Tokyo Network TXN - TV Tokyo Network stations :-External links:*... (TXN) |
TV Tokyo TV Tokyo is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime... (TX) |
Television Osaka (TVO) | Aichi Television Broadcasting Aichi Television Broadcasting Aichi Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a TV station in Nagoya. It is known as "TV Aichi"... (TVA) |
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| AM Radio Radio Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space... |
Japan Radio Network Japan Radio Network Japan Radio Network or JRN is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TBS Radio & Communications, Inc. .-Japan Radio Network stations:... (JRN) |
TBS Radio & Communications TBS Radio & Communications is the flagship radio station of Japan Radio Network in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded by Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc. on March 21, 2000... (TBS R&C) |
Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |
Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting is a regional radio and television service serving Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Its radio service is affiliated with the Japan Radio Network and its television service affiliated with the Japan News Network and the TBS Network.-Radio:Frequency... (CBC) |
|
| National Radio Network National Radio Network (Japan) National Radio Network is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, Incorporated and Nippon Broadcasting System, Incorporated . It is not connected in any way with the National Radio Network in the United States.-National Radio Network stations:... (NRN) |
Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Nippon Cultural Broadcasting is a Japanese radio station in Tokyo which broadcasts to the Kanto area. It is one of the two flagship radio stations of National Radio Network and also has a relationship with JOLF and Fuji Television.... (QR) Nippon Broadcasting System Nippon Broadcasting System , or JOLF, is a Japanese radio station in Tokyo. Together with Nippon Cultural Broadcasting it is a flagship station of the National Radio Network... (LF) |
Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Osaka Broadcasting Corporation Osaka Broadcasting Corporation is an AM radio station of National Radio Network in Osaka, Japan, and it is known as "Radio Osaka ". It is also a company of Sankei Shimbun Group in Fujisankei Communications Group... (Radio Osaka, OBC) |
Tokai Radio Broadcasting Tokai Radio Broadcasting Tokai Radio Broadcasting. Company Limited is a Japanese radio broadcasting company serving the areas of Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture.- Aichi Prefecture :* Nagoya JOSF 1332 kHz 50 kW* Toyohashi JOSM 864 kHz 100 W... (SF) |
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| FM Radio Radio Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space... |
JFN JFN Japan FM Network is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TOKYO FM.-Japan FM Network stations:- Overseas station :- Originally in JFN, but now independent :- Stations that are planning to have frequencies removed :... |
Tokyo FM Tokyo FM Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a radio station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flagship station of the Japan FM Network .-Program:*Countdown Station** DHC Countdown jp** cosmo Pops Best 10... |
fm osaka Fm osaka is a radio station in Osaka, Japan. It is an affiliated station of Japan FM Network .- History of FM OSAKA :On April 1, 1970, FM OSAKA started broadcasting as the first private FM station in Nakanoshima, Osaka nationwide as the only FM radio station affiliated with Japan FM Network in the Kansai... |
FM Aichi | |
| JFL | J-WAVE J-Wave J-Wave is a commercial radio station based in Tokyo, Japan, broadcasting on 81.3 FM from the Tokyo Tower to the Tokyo area. J-Wave airs mostly music covering a wide range of formats. The station is considered the most popular among FM broadcasts in Tokyo, and has surprised the radio broadcast... |
FM802 | ZIP-FM | ||
| MegaNet MegaNet The or is Japan's only network of multi-lingual commercial radio stations. Currently all such stations are members of the network. The flagship station is InterFM in Tokyo.They all broadcast in FM... | InterFM InterFM -See also:*The Japan Times* *TV Tokyo... | FM Cocolo FM Cocolo FM Cocolo is a multilingual FM radio station owned and operated by Kansai Intermedia Corporation, based at the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building in Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Japan... | Radio-i Radio-i Radio-i was a Multilingual commercial radio station based in central Japan in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, owned by the Kowa Company.... |
Criticism
It is criticized that the key stations are governing the local broadcasting stations with the power of the networks.。
Advertising agencies
These play an important role in the Japanese mass media. There are two big advertisement agencies in Japan.- DentsuDentsuis one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. Its headquarters are located in the Dentsu Building in the Shiodome district of Minato, Tokyo....
(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 - HakuhodoHakuhodois Japan's second largest advertising agency, with gross sales of approximately 700 hundred million yen. It has its headquarters at Akasaka Biz Tower in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo....
(博報堂). 2nd largest Japanese advertising agency. - Asatsu-DKAsatsu-DK, often abbreviated simply as ADK or sometime calls , is a Japanese advertising agency. Headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, the firm is Japan's third largest advertising agency, after Dentsu and Hakuhodo. The agency has 38 offices in over 15 countries. One of the offices, Asatsu-DK Europe, was...
(アサツー ディ・ケイ). 3rd largest Japanese advertising agency.
External links
- Unofficial Guide to Japanese mass-media
- Companion website to the book A Public Betrayed: An Inside Look at Japanese Media Atrocities and Their Warnings to the West (ISBN 0-89526-046-8)
- 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.
- Brief history of TV Technology in Japan by NHK