Position Paper 1- Perspectives of 'Local' News

 Local News in Japan

News sources in Japan have developed a reputation for being extremely structured, often involving major news outlets being involved in "press clubs" in order to establish long-term relationships with news their news sources. In contrast, many American media companies rely on eye-catching stories and "getting the scoop" on current events. Japan's reliance on local, consistent relationships, affects major news outlets as well as the cultural differences that must be accounted for when Japanese producers create content for local and foreign audiences. 

Japanese News Structure

Japanese newspapers are extremely structured and are similar in general structure to American newspapers. The most important news stories are featured on the front page due to them being deemed the most important. One of the largest differences, aside from aesthetics, is the strict structure of the papers' content. According to Japan Experience, most Japanese newspapers feature distinct sections that separate topics into specific areas in the paper. While physical papers in the US do this as well, newspapers in Japan separate many topics that are often featured together in our local papers. Japanese newspaper sections often include: 

• Front page (一面 ichimen) - Features the top news stories of the day
• Society (社会 shakai) - Covers domestic news, crime, and human interest stories
• Politics (政治 seiji) - Reports on political developments, government policies, and international relations
• Economy (経済 keizai) - Focuses on business, finance, and economic issues
• Sports (スポーツ supōtsu) - Provides coverage of domestic and international sports events
• Culture (文化 bunka) - Includes articles on arts, entertainment, and lifestyle topics

This structured approach to news extends deep into the journalism practices in Japan. Unlike the US, where news outlets are free to discuss political bias in every area of the news, many Japanese outlets may not include details that high-authority figures want hidden from the public. This is due to the heavy "press club" culture in Japan, in which the most reputable news sources host long-standing relationships with their information sources. However, Japanese news outlets still have a strong reputation for being very factual. US readers often notice that Japanese news sources do not rely on a chosen narrative, but rather strict facts. Because of this, outside news that does not directly tie into the domestic affairs in Japan may not receive as much coverage as the local news. This is in stark contrast to other foreign news sources, like CNN, that often feature a large amount of coverage over events in the United States and Canada. 

Online News

Digital news sources are some of the most commonly used methods of gaining information in the modern age, and it's no surprise that all of the largest outlets in Japan reflect this. Some of the most well-known news sources in Japan are The Asahi Shimbun and The Yomiuri Shimbum. These two news websites portray the same general aesthetic of physical Japanese newspapers, but their layouts feel more accessible for American readers due to their more simplistic layout. While many of the Japanese stories focus on the distinct Japanese perspective on current events, such as the current heatwave crisis, some US stories are featured when they involve Japan's foreign affairs. 

The Yomiuri Shimbum stands out in its effort to be accessible to English speakers. The corporation that produces the news outlet also produces The Japan Times, the English-focused sister publication to The Yomiuri Shimbum. The layout of The Japan Times is much larger, similar to the style of US digital news outlets, and includes the English text versions of the same stories. US audiences will most likely find the style of this publication easy to navigate, especially due to the clusters of connected stories displaying information about local crises, the Japanese royal family, and political topics. 

Entertainment Coverage

In the United States, social media platforms often feature short videos about popular entertainment sources in Japan due to their unique approach to television entertainment. While Japan is extremely well-known for television dramas and anime, it also stands out in its utilization of the game show television format. Japanese game shows are known for being whimsical, wacky, and full of crazy concepts that US game shows don't usually rely upon. 

@memezar 🤣🇯🇵 Japanese game shows are known worldwide for their wild creativity, unique humor, and willingness to push contestants into bizarre and hilarious situations. They often combine physical challenges, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top punishments, creating a style of entertainment that is both chaotic and captivating. Shows like “Takeshi’s Castle” and “Sasuke” (known internationally as “Ninja Warrior”) have become global favorites, showcasing endurance, agility, and humor in equal measure. What sets Japanese game shows apart is their emphasis on spectacle and unpredictability. Contestants might face outrageous obstacle courses, try to keep a straight face during ridiculous pranks, or endure strange but funny penalties. At their core, these shows highlight the joy of not taking oneself too seriously, blending competition with comedy in a way that appeals to audiences far beyond Japan. Like this content? Follow us for more @memezar ❤️ #memezar #shows ♬ original sound - Memezar

It's not only the concepts that make Japanese game shows so enticing to foreign audiences. The editing styles often incorporate wacky noises and an editing approach that is reminiscent of early 2000s American television programs. 

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Japanese game shows garner hundreds of thousands of viewers across the nation by bringing in celebrity guests and incorporating easily understandable concepts that entice viewers. Certain shows even feature similar concepts to American game shows, and these interpretations showcase the different approaches to TV entertainment. During the past few years, American media has featured the obsession with creating objects made out of cake, thus sparking the creation of Is it Cake?, a game show where contestants compete to correctly guess which items are hyperrealistic cakes. 

 

@fortunefeimster If anyone knows cake, it’s this gal. #isitcake #isitcakeorreal? #funny #gameshow ♬ original sound - Fortune Feimster

Japan has a similar game show, in which celebrities have to try to and find household items that are disguised candy. Unlike the more cinematic approach of modern American game shows, the Japanese counterpart relies on sparkly overlaid text, audience reactions, and over exaggerated celebrity personas to create a goofy watching experience. With such silly concepts and lighthearted execution, it is no surprise that viral clips of these game shows have brought in millions of international views within the past few years. 

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In addition to game shows, baseball coverage is one of the most popular forms of televised entertainment in Japan. United States readers may occasionally see some familiar Major League Baseball team names featured in Japanese news outlets. Many Japanese baseball stars, such as Masataka Yoshida, are routinely featured in the news with updates on their athletic careers. 

Picture taken from The Japan Times

MLB coverage in Japan overshadows even Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the second-largest baseball league in the world that is focused in Japan itself. Since baseball is a well-known sport among English speakers, especially Americans, many popular news sources that cover the NPB are geared toward that audience. Japan Ball is one of the most popular outlets behind The Japan Times, and their current news team is composed of Japanese natives as well as fans who moved to Japan from the United States and Canada. 

Even though Japanese news culture is much more exclusive and somewhat more censored that American media, Japanese news sources have certainly earned their reputation of consistency and factuality. Within recent years, several of the most popular outlets have done an outstanding job of making Japanese news accessible to English speakers. The largest inhibitor of intaking these news sources is the lack of foreign stories included in many sources due to Japan's extreme focus on only domestic events and cultural ties. In the future, it would be beneficial to provide viewers with broader news coverage while still maintaining the facts-forward approach that Japanese news is known for.