National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jan 23, 2021
Former SMAP stars test broadcast television’s relevance
by Philip Brasor
Rival talent agencies move into the void left by Japan's former J-pop kings.
National Dec 12, 2020
"If we don't do it quickly amid the coronavirus pandemic, when will we do it?" communications minister Ryota Takeda said.
Entertainment News Dec 12, 2020
Prominent Japanese comedian and actor Masao Komatsu, known for the comedy song "Shirakedori Ondo," died of liver cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Monday. He was 78. Komatsu, real name Masaomi Matsuzaki, was born in the southwestern city of Fukuoka. He moved to Tokyo to ...
National Nov 7, 2020
Government to abandon collecting NHK fees from all households
The ministry concluded that it is difficult to win understanding of the plans from citizens at a time when the number of users of NHK's online service is limited, the sources said.
National / Crime & Legal Oct 29, 2020
Up-and-coming actor Kentaro Ito was arrested Thursday for allegedly driving away after hitting a motorbike with his car in Tokyo the previous day, police said. The 23-year-old has admitted to the allegation, the police said, quoting him as saying, "It is true that I left ...
National Oct 17, 2020
NHK wants to make it mandatory for households to report whether they have a TV
The broadcaster has also requested that it be allowed to ask for the names of residents at homes from which reports have not been submitted.
World / Politics | FOCUS Oct 14, 2020
U.S. TV news networks aim for credibility, not speed, on election night
by Helen Coster
Some top U.S. television news executives see a cautionary tale in a notorious November evening two decades ago.
National Oct 7, 2020
Popular actress Suzu Hirose has been infected with the novel coronavirus without experiencing any symptoms so far, her agency said Tuesday. Actress Suzu Hirose has tested positive for the new coronavirus. | KYODO Hirose, 22, tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday after taking a PCR test ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Oct 3, 2020
The media’s role in helping Suga become Japan’s prime minister
by Philip Brasor
A funny thing happened between the day Shinzo Abe said he was stepping down as Japan's prime minister and the day Yoshihide Suga was elected the new president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Abe's presumptive successor. Prior to Abe's Aug. 28 announcement, ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Sep 5, 2020
Competing interests of labor unions laid bare at TV Asahi
by Philip Brasor
When a company's workforce contains both journalists and news program workers, conflict can arise.
National / Social Issues Aug 30, 2020
'Bachelor Japan' contestant Maria Hamasaki dies in suspected suicide
Maria Hamasaki, a 23-year-old contestant on “The Bachelor Japan” reality show, died in a suspected suicide earlier this week, sources close to the matter say.