Representations of Women in Japanese Television News

This study investigated how gender roles were portrayed on Japanese prime-time television news in the 1990s, in the wake of the Equal Employment Opportunities Law, the growth of a multi-channel television environment, and the diversification of news programmes. The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether Japanese television news portrayed women and men in a fair and balanced manner, or whether they were portrayed in a stereotypical manner dependent on their gender. In addition this study investigated how gender issues were reported, and compared the coverage of popular Japanese television news programmes. The study concludes that outdated attitudes towards gender roles persist in the Japanese television broadcasting industry and Japanese society. However, despite the persistence of outdated attitudes, changes to Japanese television news practices are considered feasible. These changes could significantly and positively change the nature of Japanese television news and in turn contribute to the advancement of danjo kyoodoo sankaku shakai, the society of equal participation of women and men.

Autorentext

Tomoko Shimoda (PhD) is a lecturer in the School of Asian Studies, University of Auckland. Prior to working as an academic, she worked as an announcer in a television broadcasting station in Japan, and has worked as a narrator in a variety of media. Her research interests span Japanese language, media, and gender issues.