Media in Japan Used as Propaganda Instrument, Marking 80 Years
Japanese Media Aligns with Military During Expansionist Period
During Japan's expansionist period, the media landscape underwent a significant transformation, with newspapers and news agencies aligning themselves with the military. This shift was primarily driven by societal and political pressures, economic incentives, and a competitive media market.
A key turning point for the media occurred in 1931 with Japan's military campaigns, which led to the occupation of Manchuria, now northeastern China. Toshihiko Kishi, a professor of Asian history at Notre Dame Seishin University and professor emeritus at Kyoto University, noted this as a pivotal moment.
The competitive media market incentivized newspapers to publish sensationalist and extreme content that supported the war effort, as such coverage boosted circulation. Reporters, in pursuit of scoops and market share, developed closer ties with the military and chose to endorse military actions rather than criticize or restrain them, despite military excesses.
This convergence of populist journalism and military propaganda fundamentally eroded independent journalistic standards. The more extreme and populist the coverage, the better the newspapers sold. This trend was evident during Japan's expansionist period, where newspapers critical of the military faced boycotts led by reservists’ associations.
Organized economic pressures, such as boycotts, were a powerful tool used to pressure media outlets into compliance. Newspapers that dared to criticize the Japanese military were targeted, effectively silencing dissenting voices.
The nationalist and militarist sentiment created by the military campaigns fostered an environment where such boycotts were effective. This widespread societal support for expansionism created a climate where newspapers critical of the military faced significant backlash, forcing them to conform to the prevailing narrative.
In conclusion, factors leading to media alignment with the military included societal nationalistic fervor promoting militarism, organized economic pressures (boycotts against anti-military media), the commercial drive for dramatic stories, and the fostering of close ties between reporters and military officials. These dynamics resulted in media outlets abandoning their traditional independent roles to become instruments of propaganda supporting Japan’s militaristic campaigns during the war.
[1] Reference: To be added upon request.
