Japan's newspaper crisis: Losing readers, relevance and the next generation
Circulation is dropping. Trust is fading. And Japan's major newspapers are struggling to connect with younger readers who now get their headlines from platforms like Line, YouTube and even TikTok.
In this edition of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how Japan's once-powerful dailies — including the Yomiuri, Asahi and Mainichi — are facing a slow decline. From outdated digital strategies to an aging subscriber base, the print giants are falling behind in a media world that now runs on swipes and scrolls.
We also revisit past Spotlight episodes that exposed deeper problems in the industry, including the Fuji TV–Masahiro Nakai scandal and how major outlets ignored Shiori Ito's story until it gained global attention.
What do you think — is there still a place for Japan's legacy media, or has the news already moved on?
Chapters:
0:00 Topic overview
0:49 The fall
3:16 Old habits, aging audience
5:34 The trust gap
6:58 So, what now?
7:58 Outro
Japan Today sources:
See the Japan Today Spotlight series:
Join the conversation!
Japan's newspapers are losing readers fast — but the appetite for information hasn't disappeared. Where are you getting your headlines in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
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If you found this episode thought-provoking, check out our other deep dives into Japan's media landscape and our past coverage of:
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The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc.
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