Japanese media: Difference between revisions
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==Newspapers and magazines== | ==Newspapers and magazines== | ||
Japan is a nation of avid newspaper and magazine readers. About 92% of households subscribe to a morning newspaper, and the Japanese apparently consider print media to be the most reliable way to get their [[news]]. Newspaper circulation, with about 630 people to every thousand copies in the country, is significantly ahead of other nations,<ref>''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' (2008): '[http://adv.yomiuri.co.jp/m-data/english/2008_2010/newspaper6.html Japanese newspapers have stable readership]'. </ref> including the USA<ref>In the USA, readers have moved to online news sources over print media in recent years. See ''[[USA Today]]'': '[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007-11-05-newspaper-circulation_N.htm Newspaper circulation off 2.6%; some count Web readers]'. 5th November 2007. This was also true in the 1950s: see ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'': '[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,808507,00.html Record Press Run]'. 21st May 1956.</ref> and the UK. News reporting ranges from serious political stories to the latest [[celebrity]] gossip, with the lives of these '[[Japanese media#Idols|idols]]' detailed in popular magazines as well as on-line. Newspapers and the government often make use of [[comic]]s (''[[manga]]'', 漫画 'comic') to put across important issues to people of all ages.<ref>See Kinsella (2000) and the [[Japanese popular culture#Manga|manga]] section of this article.</ref> | Japan is a nation of avid newspaper and magazine readers. About 92% of households subscribe to a morning newspaper, and the Japanese apparently consider print media to be the most reliable way to get their [[news]]. Newspaper circulation, with about 630 people to every thousand copies in the country, is significantly ahead of other nations,<ref>''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' (2008): '[http://adv.yomiuri.co.jp/m-data/english/2008_2010/newspaper6.html Japanese newspapers have stable readership]'.</ref> including the USA<ref>In the USA, readers have moved to online news sources over print media in recent years. See ''[[USA Today]]'': '[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007-11-05-newspaper-circulation_N.htm Newspaper circulation off 2.6%; some count Web readers]'. 5th November 2007. This was also true in the 1950s: see ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'': '[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,808507,00.html Record Press Run]'. 21st May 1956.</ref> and the UK. News reporting ranges from serious political stories to the latest [[celebrity]] gossip, with the lives of these '[[Japanese media#Idols|idols]]' detailed in popular magazines as well as on-line. Newspapers and the government often make use of [[comic]]s (''[[manga]]'', 漫画 'comic') to put across important issues to people of all ages.<ref>See Kinsella (2000) and the [[Japanese popular culture#Manga|manga]] section of this article.</ref> | ||
The biggest-selling newspapers are the right-wing ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' (読売新聞), the left-leaning ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' (朝日新聞),<ref>See ''Yomiuri Shimbun'' (2008), above.</ref> and the ''[[Mainichi Shimbun]]'' (毎日新聞) - together, these make up the "big three" in print media.<ref>''Britannica'': '[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009759/Asahi-shimbun Asahi Shimbun]'.</ref> The ''[[Japan Times]]'' is the main [[English language]] newspaper, and other titles publish a range of stories in English both in print and online. One of most widely read magazines is ''FRUiTS'', a monthly guide to street fashion.<ref>[http://www.fruits-mg.com/xnew/e/index.html STREET/FRUiTS/TUNE] - official English website.</ref> | The biggest-selling newspapers are the right-wing ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' (読売新聞), the left-leaning ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' (朝日新聞),<ref>See ''Yomiuri Shimbun'' (2008), above.</ref> and the ''[[Mainichi Shimbun]]'' (毎日新聞) - together, these make up the "big three" in print media.<ref>''Britannica'': '[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009759/Asahi-shimbun Asahi Shimbun]'.</ref> The ''[[Japan Times]]'' is the main [[English language]] newspaper, and other titles publish a range of stories in English both in print and online. One of most widely read magazines is ''FRUiTS'', a monthly guide to street fashion.<ref>[http://www.fruits-mg.com/xnew/e/index.html STREET/FRUiTS/TUNE] - official English website.</ref> | ||
==Television== | ==Television== | ||
A wide variety of television programmes are broadcast around the clock in Japan, and in many ways a typical line-up of programmes consists of just what a viewer would expect: regular news bulletins, [[documentary|documentaries]], [[film]]s, and light entertainment such as [[quiz show]]s. The main broadcaster is [[NHK]] (日本放送協会 ''Nippon Hoosoo Kyookai'' 'Japanese Broadcasting Corporation'), a public body funded through a [[television licence]], which runs two national terrestrial channels alongside its [[satellite television|satellite]], [[radio]] and [[internet]] services. NHK's output is supplemented by various other regional television stations. Foreign output includes Hollywood movies and popular | A wide variety of television programmes are broadcast around the clock in Japan, and in many ways a typical line-up of programmes consists of just what a viewer would expect: regular news bulletins, [[documentary|documentaries]], [[film]]s, and light entertainment such as [[quiz show]]s. The main broadcaster is [[NHK]] (日本放送協会 ''Nippon Hoosoo Kyookai'' 'Japanese Broadcasting Corporation'), a public body funded through a [[television licence]], which runs two national terrestrial channels alongside its [[satellite television|satellite]], [[radio]] and [[internet]] services. NHK's output is supplemented by various other regional television stations. Foreign output includes [[Hollywood]] movies and popular [[South Korea]]n [[soap opera]]s. | ||
===Drama=== | ===Drama=== | ||
Drama is a staple of Japanese television. NHK's historical drama series ''Taiga Dorama'' (大河ドラマ) has become a national institution since it began in 1963 as a televised ''kabuki'' (歌舞伎)<ref>Traditional Japanese theatre.</ref> play. Other series are contemporary, such as ''San-nen Bii-gumi Kinpachi-sensei'' (3年B組金八先生 'Mr Kanpachi's Third-year Class B'<ref>Approximate translation; in English, the programme is referred to as just ''Kinpachi-sensei''.</ref>), one of many 'trendy dramas' (トレンディドラマ ''Torendi Dorama'') that tackles issues such as [[teenage pregnancy]], adolescent isolation, [[homosexuality]] and gender identity disorder. This series, running since 1979, has been used as educational material in real Japanese junior high school classrooms.<ref>''Japan Times'': '[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20011007cs.html Schools of hard knocks and TV docs]'. 7th October 2001.</ref> | Drama is a staple of Japanese television. NHK's historical drama series ''Taiga Dorama'' (大河ドラマ) has become a national institution since it began in 1963 as a televised ''kabuki'' (歌舞伎)<ref>Traditional Japanese theatre.</ref> play. Other series are contemporary, such as ''San-nen Bii-gumi Kinpachi-sensei'' (3年B組金八先生 'Mr Kanpachi's Third-year Class B'<ref>Approximate translation; in English, the programme is referred to as just ''Kinpachi-sensei''.</ref>), one of many 'trendy dramas' (トレンディドラマ ''Torendi Dorama'') that tackles issues such as [[teenage pregnancy]], adolescent isolation, [[homosexuality]] and gender identity disorder. This series, running since 1979, has been used as educational material in real Japanese junior high school classrooms.<ref>''Japan Times'': '[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20011007cs.html Schools of hard knocks and TV docs]'. 7th October 2001.</ref> | ||
==Internet== | ==Internet== | ||
Major news organisations maintain websites where stories are | |||
==Radio== | ==Radio== | ||
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{{seealso|Japanese popular culture}} | {{seealso|Japanese popular culture}} | ||
==='Idols'=== | ==='Idols'=== | ||
Japanese media extensively covers celebrity news, particularly the activities of ''aidoru'' (アイドル, 'idol'). Typically well-promoted female [[singing|singers]] or bit-part [[acting|actors]] distinct from other ' | Japanese media extensively covers celebrity news, particularly the activities of ''aidoru'' (アイドル, 'idol'). Typically well-promoted female [[singing|singers]] or bit-part [[acting|actors]] distinct from other 'talents', their media lives are often short-lived, usually because they are selected mainly for their youth and cute looks rather than obvious ability. While occasionally idols such as Aya Sugimoto (杉本彩, ''Sugimoto Aya'') continue to appear in the press for some time, often due to controversies in their personal lives, a few of them stay around long enough to influence a new fashion or craze, and even go on to become mainstream performers. For example, the singer Kumi Koda (倖田來未, ''Kooda Kumi''), who has enjoyed success in the music charts for several years, is also associated with the fashion for [[hot pants]], and the singer and actress Kyoko Koizumi (小泉今日子, ''Koizumi Kyooko'') has been around in a variety of guises since the heyday of idols in the 1980s.<ref>''[[Internet Movie Database]]'': '[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0463592 Kyôko Koizumi]'.</ref> | ||
==='Talents'=== | ==='Talents'=== | ||
Often distinct from 'idols' are ''tarento'' (タレント), i.e. 'talents'. Television celebrities, generally famous for their own personalities rather than their work, regularly appear on the nation's TV screens in usually short-spanned careers, as guests on quiz programmes, chat shows and so on. Some ''tarento'' may become famous for a particular gimmick or act, while others might have become known through a drama series or sporting activity. One of the more notorious recent examples of a ''tarento'' is Masaki Sumitani (住谷正樹 ''Sumitani Masaki''), better known as '(Razor Ramon) [H]ard [G]ay' (レイザーラモンHG ''Reizaa Ramon Eichi Jii'' or ハアドゲイ ''Haardo Gei''), a heterosexual [[wrestling|wrestler]] and [[comedy|comedian]] whose act involves dressing in a leather fetish outfit. | Often distinct from 'idols' are ''tarento'' (タレント), i.e. 'talents'. Television celebrities, generally famous for their own personalities rather than their work, regularly appear on the nation's TV screens in usually short-spanned careers, as guests on quiz programmes, chat shows and so on. Some ''tarento'' may become famous for a particular gimmick or act, while others might have become known through a drama series or sporting activity. One of the more notorious recent examples of a ''tarento'' is Masaki Sumitani (住谷正樹 ''Sumitani Masaki''), better known as '(Razor Ramon) [H]ard [G]ay' (レイザーラモンHG ''Reizaa Ramon Eichi Jii'' or ハアドゲイ ''Haardo Gei''), a heterosexual [[wrestling|wrestler]] and [[comedy|comedian]] whose act involves dressing in a leather fetish outfit. | ||
Revision as of 02:43, 9 July 2008
The media in Japan caters to a nationwide audience or readership of many millions; most households subscribe to a newspaper, and a wide variety of television channels cater to the public's taste for news, drama, education and so on. The frequent use of flashy graphics or cute animations distinguish programmes and magazines from their international equivalents, though the focus on the lives of celebrities, politicians and other personalities in the news will perhaps be more familiar.
Newspapers and magazines
Japan is a nation of avid newspaper and magazine readers. About 92% of households subscribe to a morning newspaper, and the Japanese apparently consider print media to be the most reliable way to get their news. Newspaper circulation, with about 630 people to every thousand copies in the country, is significantly ahead of other nations,[1] including the USA[2] and the UK. News reporting ranges from serious political stories to the latest celebrity gossip, with the lives of these 'idols' detailed in popular magazines as well as on-line. Newspapers and the government often make use of comics (manga, 漫画 'comic') to put across important issues to people of all ages.[3]
The biggest-selling newspapers are the right-wing Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞), the left-leaning Asahi Shimbun (朝日新聞),[4] and the Mainichi Shimbun (毎日新聞) - together, these make up the "big three" in print media.[5] The Japan Times is the main English language newspaper, and other titles publish a range of stories in English both in print and online. One of most widely read magazines is FRUiTS, a monthly guide to street fashion.[6]
Television
A wide variety of television programmes are broadcast around the clock in Japan, and in many ways a typical line-up of programmes consists of just what a viewer would expect: regular news bulletins, documentaries, films, and light entertainment such as quiz shows. The main broadcaster is NHK (日本放送協会 Nippon Hoosoo Kyookai 'Japanese Broadcasting Corporation'), a public body funded through a television licence, which runs two national terrestrial channels alongside its satellite, radio and internet services. NHK's output is supplemented by various other regional television stations. Foreign output includes Hollywood movies and popular South Korean soap operas.
Drama
Drama is a staple of Japanese television. NHK's historical drama series Taiga Dorama (大河ドラマ) has become a national institution since it began in 1963 as a televised kabuki (歌舞伎)[7] play. Other series are contemporary, such as San-nen Bii-gumi Kinpachi-sensei (3年B組金八先生 'Mr Kanpachi's Third-year Class B'[8]), one of many 'trendy dramas' (トレンディドラマ Torendi Dorama) that tackles issues such as teenage pregnancy, adolescent isolation, homosexuality and gender identity disorder. This series, running since 1979, has been used as educational material in real Japanese junior high school classrooms.[9]
Internet
Major news organisations maintain websites where stories are
Radio
Celebrities
- See also: Japanese popular culture
'Idols'
Japanese media extensively covers celebrity news, particularly the activities of aidoru (アイドル, 'idol'). Typically well-promoted female singers or bit-part actors distinct from other 'talents', their media lives are often short-lived, usually because they are selected mainly for their youth and cute looks rather than obvious ability. While occasionally idols such as Aya Sugimoto (杉本彩, Sugimoto Aya) continue to appear in the press for some time, often due to controversies in their personal lives, a few of them stay around long enough to influence a new fashion or craze, and even go on to become mainstream performers. For example, the singer Kumi Koda (倖田來未, Kooda Kumi), who has enjoyed success in the music charts for several years, is also associated with the fashion for hot pants, and the singer and actress Kyoko Koizumi (小泉今日子, Koizumi Kyooko) has been around in a variety of guises since the heyday of idols in the 1980s.[10]
'Talents'
Often distinct from 'idols' are tarento (タレント), i.e. 'talents'. Television celebrities, generally famous for their own personalities rather than their work, regularly appear on the nation's TV screens in usually short-spanned careers, as guests on quiz programmes, chat shows and so on. Some tarento may become famous for a particular gimmick or act, while others might have become known through a drama series or sporting activity. One of the more notorious recent examples of a tarento is Masaki Sumitani (住谷正樹 Sumitani Masaki), better known as '(Razor Ramon) [H]ard [G]ay' (レイザーラモンHG Reizaa Ramon Eichi Jii or ハアドゲイ Haardo Gei), a heterosexual wrestler and comedian whose act involves dressing in a leather fetish outfit.
Footnotes
- ↑ Yomiuri Shimbun (2008): 'Japanese newspapers have stable readership'.
- ↑ In the USA, readers have moved to online news sources over print media in recent years. See USA Today: 'Newspaper circulation off 2.6%; some count Web readers'. 5th November 2007. This was also true in the 1950s: see Time: 'Record Press Run'. 21st May 1956.
- ↑ See Kinsella (2000) and the manga section of this article.
- ↑ See Yomiuri Shimbun (2008), above.
- ↑ Britannica: 'Asahi Shimbun'.
- ↑ STREET/FRUiTS/TUNE - official English website.
- ↑ Traditional Japanese theatre.
- ↑ Approximate translation; in English, the programme is referred to as just Kinpachi-sensei.
- ↑ Japan Times: 'Schools of hard knocks and TV docs'. 7th October 2001.
- ↑ Internet Movie Database: 'Kyôko Koizumi'.