The Movement and the Japanese Media

Abstract

A critical examination of the relationship between Soka Gakkai & the news media argues that the media in Japan largely ignore their obligation to serve as an educational institution by disseminating accurate information. Examples of media coverage of religion in Japan are used to bolster the argument & to suggest that the Japanese media offer no insights into the basic values of humankind. Rather, religion is treated superficially as just another element of Japanese life. Ten factors responsible for the distortions that appear in the scant coverage given to the Soka Gakkai are discussed in detail: (1) the existing power structure; (2) Soka Gakkai's political influence; 3) the Soka Gakkai movement's history of defiance & autonomy; (4) media links with corporate advertisers; (5) collusive ties with the state on the part of some media companies; (6) Soka Gakkai's uncompromising religious convictions; (7) coverage of the group's immense financial resources; (8) social intolerance in Japanese society; (9) the abundance of media stereotypes; & (10) lack of media relations skills on the part of Soka Gakkai. J. Lindroth