Leading news media Japan 2021

According to a survey conducted in Japan from October to December 2021, 78 percent of the respondents used commercial television as a source for news. Commercial television was the most commonly used news source, followed by Japan's public broadcaster NHK and printed newspapers.

Japan’s demographic situation affects news consumption

Despite changing media consumption patterns, which involve a turn toward online media, traditional news media continue to play an important role in Japan. One factor that exerts a strong influence on Japan’s news industry is the country’s demographic situation: Japan has a highly aged population, and older people spend a lot more time on watching television and reading newspapers than younger people.

Higher trust in traditional media

One additional reason for the strong position of traditional news media in Japan is the comparatively high trust people place in them. A breakdown by medium shows that newspapers and television enjoy a much higher trust than the internet or magazines. However, people also make a difference based on topics. Survey data show that the share of people who think that television offers trustworthy information was much higher in the case of domestic social, political, and economical issues than in the case of atomic energy safety.