What do you think are some of the main differences in the way Japanese and U.S. media report the news?

Have Your Say Jan. 20, 2013 - 06:21AM JST ( 31 )

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31 Comments

3

JeffLeeJan. 20, 2013 - 08:11AM JST

In Japan, the media is on the side of the government and police. In the West, it's on other side of the fence, with the people.

Fukushima is a case in point. The J media was saying: "Calm down, people. Tepco says everything is under control." The foreign media's message was, "Be concerned, people. This thing's a lot more serious than you think!"
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SimondBJan. 20, 2013 - 08:14AM JST

I know what they have in common: both think the world ends at their borders.

Differences? Japan does not seem to have the extreme never mind the truth approach that FOX type news has. But neither does it have indepth approach to some issues that the better US news services have. Also the US has much more choice of how your news is presented (or misrepresented in some cases).
8

Vast Right-Wing ConspiratorJan. 20, 2013 - 08:21AM JST

With few exceptions, the media here are extremely uncurious. They don't ask hard questions, push for answers, do follow up, etc. The media allow themselves to be controlled and manipulated. The presence of groups like "kisha clubs" ensure that journalists won't report anything controversial, as journalists who do so will be excluded.

I mean, seriously, watch how much time on the news is devoted to absolutely insignificant events. Is there really so little happening in Japan that the national news broadcast on NHK can devote 10 minutes of airtime to a story about a lost dog in Kyushu?

Very little actual journalism happens here. Just a lot of reporting and photocopying of talking points.
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nigelboyJan. 20, 2013 - 08:33AM JST

I really don't see that much difference in national news coverage as you have right leaning conservative to left in both countries. The only difference I see is that a heinous crime like murder rarely gets national coverage in U.S. while Japan reports them in details. I guess when you have so much like U.S, it's no longer newsworthy. As for police misconduct news, the same thing applies. In the U.S., you'd be lucky if it gets reported locally. And since Japan reports them nationally, the perception among many ill-informed ex pats is that Japan has an epidemic.
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nigelboyJan. 20, 2013 - 08:57AM JST

USA coverage of Fukushima in of itself was a secondary "disaster".

Anderson Cooper with his "should we evacuate" panic mode live after the hydrogen explosion. The next day, Anderson and his fellow "expert" Sanjay Gupta flee to Akita for their live coverage. -Fox reporter daily coverage from Osaka. (LOL)

-Shibuyaeggman

-Nancy Grace and her ballistic tirade

https://sites.google.com/a/jpquake.info/www/
1

cleoJan. 20, 2013 - 09:04AM JST

I have no idea, because I do not watch US news media. If they question were What do you think are some of the differences in the way Japanese and other media report the news, a lot more people might be able to join the discussion. And it would be more appropriate for an an online newspaper that covers all issues, both domestic and foreign (Quote from the email JT sent me explaining why JT features 'news' that has no relevance at all to Japan and assumes we are all Americans living in America eating American food)
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bass4funkJan. 20, 2013 - 10:48AM JST

@cleo

I have no idea, because I do not watch US news media. If they question were What do you think are some of the differences in the way Japanese and other media report the news, a lot more people might be able to join the discussion. And it would be more appropriate for an an online newspaper that covers all issues, both domestic and foreign (Quote from the email JT sent me explaining why JT features 'news' that has no relevance at all to Japan and assumes we are all Americans living in America eating American food)

Sorry, but the BBC is not up there as part of the overall watched major cable networks, don't blame America, blame the public, the people that have the remotes in their hands. The 3 MOST watched cable news outlets are FOX, CNN Msnbc CNNj and then the other smaller networks and the locals, which all cover worldly events, now it may not be to YOUR liking, but that's how it is. You could also watch CNN International, they cover more news about Europe in general, less of the talking pundits.The BBC used to be the gold standard 25 years ago and an inspiration to every news outlet out there, but those days are long gone and sniping and being anti-American hasn't helped the networks image at all. Anyway, getting back on track....

but for someone that has been working in the news business for 15 years like VRWC said, in Japan, the media doesn't ask hard hitting questions, no serious follow up, NO holding the wrong doers responsible for their actions. The Japanese media has a more gentile soft approach and often let the people, especially the ones in power control the narrative quite often, that would never happen in the US. Having said that, I do think a lot of Japanese investigative programs are done quite well. But in a serious news story, they will spend 99% of the time covering it on every channel and barely give other important news any airtime. Also, Japan doesn't have a culture of "argue and debate" in the news area, just report, which in my opinion doesn't make for riveting, informative and never challenged TV watching. But yes, running a 10 min. Segment on a lost dog or exactly how the petals of a Sakura will will look and how the buds are turning a shade of olive, sorry....that's not news, at least not the kind of news that could possibly affect my life in a constructive way.
1

DaijobootsJan. 20, 2013 - 11:10AM JST

in Japan, the media doesn't ask hard hitting questions, no serious follow up, NO holding the wrong doers responsible for their actions. The Japanese media has a more gentile soft approach and often let the people, especially the ones in power control the narrative quite often...But in a serious news story, they will spend 99% of the time covering it on every channel and barely give other important news any airtime. Also, Japan doesn't have a culture of "argue and debate" in the news area

Don't know what you've been watching/reading but can only suggest you watch/read MORE.
0

PhantomPhoneixJan. 20, 2013 - 12:45PM JST

Let me propose a thought experiment. Imagine a hypothetical nuclear power plant north of Birmingham in the UK, about the same distance from London as Iwaki and the Fukushima plant are from Tokyo. First off, how do you think Londoners and the English media themselves would react if that plant had a crisis similar to the one at Fukushima? Would that most egregious offender in this Tohoku earthquake case, The Sun, be any less alarmist about the danger to London? Possibly, but it certainly would not surprise anyone if it wasn't. Here is a real test. How do you think the Japanese media would react to a nuclear crisis in Birmingham? How many alarmist tabloids with little real understanding of either England or nuclear power does Japan have?

How protective of Japanese citizens abroad might some major Japanese media outlets become under the right circumstances, with nothing to lose from practicing extreme caution? How much disruption does it take to bring all the barely suppressed Japanese exceptionalism (or xenophobia) way out into the open? Lastly how many Japanese citizens, unable to read or listen to anything but Japanese media sources, might get caught up in a negative feedback loop and desperately plead with friends and family in London to flee as fast as they can? So for all us foreigners here in Japan, this can be a double learning experience for us. This might give one with the academic understanding that the 24-hour news cycle is constantly screaming for our attention. I never realized how insidious the fear machine really was until now.

In reality our greatest enemy may be those who we turn to for answers but more then not are no better informed then we are. But this experience has done something else for us as well. We have been kicked off our high horse of criticism of Japanese media, which has always been about the most consistent target of ire out of everything foreigners here complain about. It is an established fact now: The world is full of screaming idiots, well-meaning fools, and spineless kowtowers north, south, east and west. No need to blame any particular country for that. In closing The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.
0

HimajinJan. 20, 2013 - 02:04PM JST

The foreign media's message was, "Be concerned, people. This thing's a lot more serious than you think!"

It sounded more like 'We're all gonna DIE!!'

Foreign media are more dramatic, I suppose with all the competition on cable, it's to ramp up viewer counts. How many times a day do you hear the words 'threat' or 'danger' daily on US news channels in contrast with Japan? Although the 'danger danger danger' catchword is changing lately (to 'emotional') it has really been beaten to death the past 10 years.

Now it drives me bonkers when newscasters say things like 'Stay tuned for this emotional story'...I like my news factual, thank you.
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HimajinJan. 20, 2013 - 05:24PM JST

Here's a link to the Journalist Wall of Shame, a compilation of some of the reporting that was typical overseas around the time of 3/11. After watching 9/11 coverage, Waco, etc over the years I think that many foreign news services kick into overdrive while still thin on facts.

http://current.com/1n6h94c
1

GWJan. 20, 2013 - 08:31PM JST

As pointed out kisha clubs are a plague here, spoon fed the media, if they try to do too much on their own cut them off, & DONT let in the foreign press!

There is little investigation here, TONS of self censorship across the board, only when a story breaks & CANT be controlled is it "ok" to go into a bit of an investigative/reportive mode, BUT only for a short time then STOP! Olympus anyone!

The media is controlled to some extent all over but in Japan its rather tight & due to language quite easy for the govt & power that be to control, limit, censor, shut down stories etc

Gee can you tell I dont have much good to say about "news" here haha, well imo its deserved
0

bass4funkJan. 20, 2013 - 08:53PM JST

@Himajin

It sounded more like 'We're all gonna DIE!!'

Well, maybe you like to believe those 2 idiots on Youtube Kevin and Daniel or perhaps Debito, but the majority of people knew that that were a lot of serious blunders leading up to after and still ongoing with the disaster that happened in Fukushima.

Foreign media are more dramatic, I suppose with all the competition on cable, it's to ramp up viewer counts.

True, and it also increases dialog and discussions and possible solutions to many of these serious problems affecting our world and daily lives, something that is lacking in the Japanese media, which has a more one dimensional in its reportage.

How many times a day do you hear the words 'threat' or 'danger' daily on US news channels in contrast with Japan?

America and Japan are two entirely different countries and the daily events and how they play out in each country is different. That's like saying, "Americans love Basketball and Leave it to Beaver" so what's your point?

Although the 'danger danger danger' catchword is changing lately (to 'emotional') it has really been beaten to death the past 10 years.

But our world has changed, we have to deal with a more chaotic world. Terrorism, whacked nut-jobs on a killing sprees in schools, also the US is the third most populated country in the world, the financial center of the world for trading is in Wall st. The US has a more racially diverse nation than Japan, so just by the sheer number of audience you are going to have more people worldwide with a vested interest in what's going on in the US.

Now it drives me bonkers when newscasters say things like 'Stay tuned for this emotional story'...I like my news factual, thank you.

News is a ratings business and ratings matter. The major Japanese networks are in it too, but they do it subtle non-aggressive way, that may work for Japan, but it doesn't stir up ANY debate and you can be sure if the news source is accurate since most people don't want to divulge their names or faces often. No hard hitting news shows, so if you like news that spends 30 min. About how many bicycles were stolen in a week and how many uses Green tea has, then maybe you are better off watching NHK. But I think the majority of people want to know what's going on in the world.
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bass4funkJan. 20, 2013 - 09:20PM JST

@Himajin

Here's a link to the Journalist Wall of Shame, a compilation of some of the reporting that was typical overseas around the time of 3/11. After watching 9/11 coverage, Waco, etc over the years I think that many foreign news services kick into overdrive while still thin on facts.

http://current.com/1n6h94c

You are quoting and using Current as your source??? That explains everything. Al Gore's network the no one was watching, really, no one was watching and because of that, decided to cut his losses and sell his failing network to none other that Al Jazeera, the MOST ANTI American, European, Semitic, Christian organization around, even his own employees in the end were in total shock and disbelief that their former boss was such a hypocrite.

Sorry, but the international media did a good a job as they could given the fact that they had little to deal with. Unlike the Japanese media that gets spoon fed their talking points and Since many people at TEPCO wanted to remain tight-lipped and didn't want to give the rest of the world access to any information, a lot had to do their own investigative work. The world was supposed to believe the Japanese media and TEPCO and take their word for it. The politicians say, there is NO radiation , its safe and the food that we eat is safe, but the US, UK, France Russia, Israel and China, are too dumb and all just don't know what they are talking about, right? Sorry, but on 3/11 the Japanese media lost big time on the credibility issue.

http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/337207/current-tv-employees-not-happy-their-new-bosses-greg-pollowitz#
3

SensatoJan. 21, 2013 - 10:22AM JST

I think the role of journalism in Japan is much different than in other developed countries, where journalism ideally plays a "fourth estate" role by monitoring, investigating and scrutinizing actions of the political and economic elite. In Japan, meanwhile, they welcome a more conciliatory approach between media and government/industry (as do Japanese labor unions). Much of what I come across in the media seems unabashedly little more than public relations for Japanese government and large corporations, spoon fed to media sources through kisha clubs and reported at face value.

Just enough negative publicity is allowed through to make it seem on the surface like the press is scrutinizing the political and economic elite. Many of the stories I read on painful topics tend to leave a lot of questions to be answered. In my experience, Japanese people seem more willing to take news (and people in positions of authority) at face value and refrain from asking about the obvious holes in a story.
-1

technosphereJan. 21, 2013 - 11:58AM JST

It sounded more like 'We're all gonna DIE!!' Foreign media are more dramatic, I suppose with all the competition on cable, it's to ramp up viewer counts. How many times a day do you hear the words 'threat' or 'danger' daily on US news channels in contrast with Japan? Although the 'danger danger danger' catchword is changing lately (to 'emotional') it has really been beaten to death the past 10 years.

Entirely correct. By comparison to Japanese media, western looked out like screams of alarmists.
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timeonJan. 21, 2013 - 01:48PM JST

I consider American news much more "sensationalism-orientated", whereas Japanese news fix on the same news for days with all the idols and various specialists analyzing them endlessly. I don't watch any of them too much though, so I'm really not a specialist. Regarding 3/11, news back home with titles such as "Apocalypse in Japan", "Tokyo is Doomed" and the sort panicked my parents so much that I had to talk with them constantly on skype to assure them we're fine, alive and we're not some clones planted by the government after the nuclear wipeout of Tokyo

Regarding investigative journalism, Japan newspapers at least work seriously on that as well (my in law is a journalist). Big cases and cover ups have the same difficulties and risks as in any other country. By the way, did any news out there report the real story behind that Roppongi killing?
1

bass4funkJan. 21, 2013 - 04:04PM JST

@techno

So you can say without a shadow of doubt that Japan's coverage of 3/11 was spot on, informative, accurate, helpful and insightful, NO lies, distortions or fabrications? We should have completely taken the Japanese media at their word? I pray to God that is NOT what you are insinuating.
1

bass4funkJan. 21, 2013 - 04:17PM JST

@timeon

Japan newspapers at least work seriously on that as well (my in law is a journalist). Big cases and cover ups have the same difficulties and risks as in any other country

Japan, they do work hard like most journalist in every country, however, in Japan, they will not necessarily go to the extreme edge usually or get in someone's face to get the story. But journalists also have a job of being a part of the solution and to get answers, where the "common man" can't get them but wants to know. As for cover ups, they vary from country to country and what pull or sources you have. Is my source credible? Are my contact legit? These dynamics are often more difficult to access in the US because you have a lot more action going on, on a day to day basis.
0

HimajinJan. 22, 2013 - 12:03PM JST

bass4funk-

No, the list was moved from another site to the one it is now on. I wasn't originally going to the site it's on now...it existed independently for almost a year after the quake and then it got moved....the links to the mushroom cloud photos used in German newspapers, the Daily Mail's 'British Citizen Starving in Tokyo' etc are what that link is all about. Horrible coverage. The American cable news running movie-trailer like previews with Terminator style doom-and-gloom type music was also pretty bad (and damn it all, I couldn't find that!) . Look at the individual links to the awful reporting of the disaster, and don't let where they are stored bother you. Each link is a link to an actual published news article in the foreign press.

I don't get my news from Debito, YouTube.

Do you think that American news programs, touting stories as 'emotional' is professional? I certainly don't. The lead story on the morning news being the results of Dancing with the Stars is just bizarre. There is a blurring in the US between news and entertainment, and more sensationalism is creeping in.
0

HimajinJan. 22, 2013 - 12:22PM JST

I'll provide you with some links and /or headlines as you won't look yourself...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3473142/My-nightmare-trapped-in-post-tsunami-Tokyo-City-of-Ghosts.html

"AS radiation spread toward the home of Australian teacher Ren Gregoric near Fukushima last weekend, his local boss was demanding that he turn up for work on Monday. Instead, Mr Gregoric, 22, fled to Tokyo and arrived in Melbourne today." (news.comau)

CNN- "Tests show low-level radiation on U.S. flights from Japan" says the headline but in the article, "Officials found a very low level of radiation in the plane's cargo compartment, with isotopes consistent with medical supplies, said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith.

"We later came up with a pretty high certainty that it was related to a medical shipment headed to Mexico," Smith said."

ABC news predicts that Japanese food imports mean that other countries' people will be affected, "Because of continuing contamination of seawater, the healthfulness of seafood from the Pacific Ocean is in question. Japan is already a net food importer. In response to a continuing shortage of Japanese home-grown food, the Japanese government may encourage importation of even more foreign food, which is likely to increase the price of food in a nation where food is already an extremely expensive commodity. Worldwide, increased competition for food is likely to affect prices, causing some people in marginal economies to go hungry. "

There are numerous links directly to CNN, ABC News, Der Speigel, and each news source that published each item. The page is not a list of unsubstantiated allegations but links to the actual news bloopers.
1

Thunderbird2Jan. 22, 2013 - 10:18PM JST

What about non-American media? Not all western people are from America, or interested in America.
1

plasticmonkeyJan. 23, 2013 - 09:38AM JST

@Bass

sell his failing network to none other that Al Jazeera, the MOST ANTI American, European, Semitic, Christian organization around

Not nearly as anti-Semitic and sympathetic to al-Qaeda as al-Resalah, which is nearly 20% owned by your man Rupert Murdoch. Fox made a big deal out of Gore's sale of Current, while ignoring Murdoch's own business partnership with Saudi Prince Waleed, the owner of al-Resalah, a mouthpiece of the Muslim Brotherhood.

At least mainstream Japanese news channels can't compete with the cynical, unethical, and hypocritical standards of Fox.
-3

bass4funkJan. 23, 2013 - 09:47AM JST

@plastic

Just because Murdoch has some share and holdings in it doesn't mean that his views reflect ANY racial bias, nice try though. Of course FOX made a big deal and why NOT? I know how Al Jazeera works and they have a VERY hostile Anti-American environment, which means if they can undermine America, not only socially, but militarily and politically and could cause and put our troops in danger then that is NOT considered journalism. Don't know where you are getting your news from, but hey....lol

At least mainstream Japanese news channels can't compete with the cynical, unethical, and hypocritical standards of Fox.

I think when you talk about cynical and unethical and hypocritical, you are referring to msnbc, my former employer, yes, you are 100% correct. They practically invented the words
-1

bass4funkJan. 23, 2013 - 10:24AM JST

@Thunder

msnbc

They have a very biased NON-American European viewpoint and then you have BBC what used to be a very good organization. Sky is good. ITN, not great, but not bad. You have CNN International.

@Himajin

I am NOT saying that there wasn't any over the top reportage in a few of these stories, but who's fault is that? Don't get on MY back if I am representing my country or the international media is representing the world and the lack of information is not forthcoming, again, every country is DIFFERENT as to how they present the news at 6pm. In the states, the opening is an attention grabber, nothing wrong with that. In Japan, when you go to the markets, they scream to get your attention, that works well in Japan, but would never work in the states. Certain things work well in certain countries, other things don't work so well. Had the Scientists, politicians and TEPCO workers allowed more international access, because while it happened in Japan, the aftermath is affecting the entire world, so access should have been provided from the get go, in not doing so brings distrust and scrutiny on itself. Because most Japanese journalist will not get in your face o get the truth or get the story. Most will back off. I don't know how many times, I have watch the people being interviewed controlling the narrative and the Journalists either back off or don't push hard enough. That is technically NOT considered real news Journalism. So the blame goes to the Japanese for dropping the ball, had they been more open, you would have seen less contrived stories from some of the international media.

Do you think that American news programs, touting stories as 'emotional' is professional?

We are humans, there is always an emotional component to it and should be.

I certainly don't.

And that is your right and opinion.

The lead story on the morning news being the results of Dancing with the Stars is just bizarre. There is a blurring in the US between news and entertainment, and more sensationalism is creeping in.

There is no blurring. But America is as I said, the third largest most populated country in the world with over 350 million people, you need to be able to cover all news angles and You start off with the hard hitting news and trickle down to the least important. We have public and the cable channels, it's called CHOICE, if people are not happy with one network, they can always switch.
0

plasticmonkeyJan. 23, 2013 - 12:09PM JST

@Bass

Just because Murdoch has some share and holdings in it doesn't mean that his views reflect ANY racial bias, nice try though.

Racial bias? What are you talking about? Since you are a network news insider, you should have greater rhetorical savvy than resorting to red herrings.

The point is that Gore selling his news channel to Al Jazeera is somehow suspect to you and your brethren at Fox. But you have no problem with News Corp's investment in a channel that is clearly anti-Semitic and abhors the values of liberal democracy.
-1

bass4funkJan. 23, 2013 - 01:49PM JST

@plastic

Racial bias? What are you talking about? Since you are a network news insider, you should have greater rhetorical savvy than resorting to red herrings.

Wasn't resorting to Red Herrings, just calling it for what it is.

The point is that Gore selling his news channel to Al Jazeera is somehow suspect to you and your brethren at Fox. But you have no problem with News Corp's investment in a channel that is clearly anti-Semitic and abhors the values of liberal democracy.

Of course it is. His own staff say he's a creep, heck, everyone knows what a hypocrite Gore is, EVERYONE in the industry. Gore is about as fake as they get. He made a ton of money, and sold out his principles and his staff to make a buck. I don't have a problem with a man that has donated and raised millions in Charity. If you want to talk about Anti-Semitic, You have our own President that pushed one of our biggest allies in the ME aside, you can make that argument about everyone, there is NO concrete evidence that al-Resalah is an Anti-Semite just because he supports the Muslim Brotherhood. If you say you admire David Duke does that make you automatically a racist. Hosni Mubarak kept the peace when he was in power, but if you think he was Israel's best, best friend, you are so sadly mistaken.
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plasticmonkeyJan. 23, 2013 - 04:25PM JST

@Bass

there is NO concrete evidence that al-Resalah is an Anti-Semite just because he supports the Muslim Brotherhood.

Al-Resalah is not a person, it is a satellite TV channel. Dedicated to the spread of fundamentalist Islam. And it is 20% owned by Rupert Murdoch, the same guy who owns Fox, whose pundits have a big problem with Gore selling his news channel to Al Jazeera.
0

bass4funkJan. 24, 2013 - 01:24AM JST

@plastic

Sorry, I made a mistake, I researched the article, but if Al-Resalah is spreading fundamental Islam, so what, people that don't want to watch it can cut it off, NO person was directly affected by them, compared to what happened at Current where the founder and CEO outright left his people communicated nothing of the buy out and AJ having compromised our men and women in the field and have repeatedly undermined our troops in the field, so yes, it is a huge problem with what Gore did on many levels. Remember, Murdoch owns many businesses including News Corp that owns FOX and on the flip side is a network that is very Pro Israel, so that makes him a Zionist as well?
1

Marilita Fabie-FujisawaJan. 25, 2013 - 06:19PM JST

In Japan, it's all 'owabe', nothing much is even said nor out in the open. The news lacks news, they say the news according to their comfort being on the safe side all the time. While in America,they really give out the news, go into detail and you kinda get satisfied from what you hear or read.
0

bass4funkJan. 27, 2013 - 01:34PM JST

In Japan, it's all 'owabe', nothing much is even said nor out in the open. The news lacks news, they say the news according to their comfort being on the safe side all the time. While in America,they really give out the news, go into detail and you kinda get satisfied from what you hear or read.

Exactly. You are 100% correct. Even if you don't like watching American news, the obvious point is totally apparent. In Japan, people just go with the flow, it's not something that is a highly serious or an important event to watch, compared to America, where the news is seen as something educational, sensational and you feel like you learned something and that you are a part of something.