Department of Communication University of Helsinki Mapping Media and Communication Research: Japan Communication Research Center, University of Helsinki Department of Communication, Research Reports 4/2007 Dr. Katja Valaskivi Publisher: Type of publication: Communication Research Center, Department of Research report Communication; University of Helsinki Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Researchers: ISBN 978-952-10-4044-3 (nid.) Dr. Katja Valaskivi ISBN 978-952-10-4045-0 (PDF) Research assistant Hiromi Tsuji Research Project: Number of pages: 98 Mapping Media and Communication Research in Seven Countries Communication Research Center CRC Language: Director: Dr. Juha Herkman English Title of Report: Mapping Media and Communication Research: Japan Abstract: The objective of the report is to provide a general overview of media and communication research in Japan. The project maps the main institutions and organizations, approaches and national characteristics of the media and communication research in Japan. The gathering and analysis of the data has been carried out during the spring of 2007. The sample consists of secondary data in the form of previous studies and existing statistics, as well as primary data such as interviews of key persons in media and communication research branches and media industry. The report examines the media and communication research conducted at the most prominent research universities, the research published by academic associations, and those conducted by the largest public and private research institutes and think tanks with affiliations to some of the largest Japanese media companies. It also gives a general outline of the historical development and the current situation of the Japanese media industry and market, including reference to current content and user trends. Keywords: Japan, media industry, media market, media usage, media and communication research, media statistics, journalism, information society, ubiquitous Japan, u-Japan, media literacy, public journalism, university education Content Content ......................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................5 Introduction...............................................................................................................................5 1 The media landscape in Japan ..........................................................................................9 1.1. Basic information on Japan ....................................................................................................9 1.2. A brief history and the current situation in Japanese media markets........................................ 11 1.3. Media policy and national strategies ......................................................................................23 U-Japan strategy reaches for the future.........................................................................................24 Intellectual property rights under negotiation..................................................................................25 1.4. Current trends in media markets...........................................................................................25 Television still strongest, but facing change.....................................................................................27 Newspapers and publishing hanging in there .................................................................................28 Business models and advertising in a time of new media....................................................................29 Telecommunication driving change...............................................................................................30 1.5. Media content, reception and consumption...........................................................................33 Mobile business trends: new contents have found eager users...............................................................38 1.6. Media industry associations ..................................................................................................40 2 Research institutions and organizations .........................................................................42 2.1. The university, media education and research........................................................................43 2.2. Background and current situation of academic media and communication studies in Japan .....44 2.3. Academic associations..........................................................................................................52 The old associations ................................................................................................................53 The new associations ...............................................................................................................55 2.4. Independent (private and semi-public) research organizations................................................56 2.5. Publicly funded research organizations..................................................................................57 2.6. Research institutions of media and telecom companies..........................................................59 2.7. Competition over research funding.......................................................................................63 3 Main approaches in media and communication research ..............................................65 3.1. Theoretical and methodological developments......................................................................67 3.2. Public service, public sphere and research of journalism ........................................................68 RESEARCH REPORT 4(98) Mapping Media and Communication Research: Japan 3.3. Educational media, media education and media literacy .........................................................70 3.4. Gender and media ............................................................................................................... 71 3.5. Research of popular culture has deep roots...........................................................................72 3.6. Audience and reception study approach................................................................................74 3.7. Media history.......................................................................................................................75 3.8. Media industry, media economy and policy research..............................................................75 3.9. Research on natural disasters and communication .................................................................76 3.10. The “socio-information” approach .....................................................................................76 3.11. Summary: National characteristics in communcation and media research..............................78 4 Intertwined future of the industry and media/communication research.......................79 4.1. Crossing boundaries.............................................................................................................82 4.2. Towards stronger professionalism: School of Journalism at the university...............................83 4.3. U-Japan: potential and empty air...........................................................................................84 Literature .................................................................................................................................86 Home pages of institutions........................................................................................................ 91 Selected journals.....................................................................................................................94 Appendices ..............................................................................................................................96 Appendix 1: List of illustrations ...............................................................................................96 Appendix 2: List of informants’ organizations..............................................................................97 Appendix 3: Databases used....................................................................................................98 RESEARCH REPORT 5(98) Mapping Media and Communication Research: Japan Acknowledgements Japan is not always an easy place to find one’s way around, and old and new friends have proven most valuable in the process of this research. There are numerous people, who – although not interviewed properly – have helped in different ways: establishing contacts, giving information and good advice. For helping to make this research possible I would like to thank Professor Yuko Furukawa, adviser at the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE) and Director at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) London office, Ambassador Jorma Julin, Counsellor Liisa Karvinen, Journalist Takeshi Kawasaki at Asahi Shimbun, Director Kazunobu Konishi at NII, Ms. Michiru Kunisaki at NII, First Secretary Juha Niemi, Professor Yasuko Muramatsu, Director Heikki Mäkipää, Professor Kazue Sakamoto, Professor Noboru Sonehara at NII, Editor-in-Chief Kazue Suzuki at Asahi Weekly, Visiting Professor Charley Watanabe at NII and Counsellor Jukka Viitanen at Tekes Tokyo. I wish to thank all the informants, who have been