Please allow me to draw your attention to my recent book:

Readers of this forum might find it interesting as a comparative discussion of national media organizations, or as a political and social history of NHK from its origins in the 1920 to the present.

The BBC and NHK have dominated their national media systems since the 1920s and still play a central role in shaping political, social and cultural life. Both are highly trusted sources of news and information. Both are central to the rhythms of national life, from the nightly news broadcasts to annual rituals such as kōhaku uta gassen, and from major sporting events to their coverage of the Royal families. Both exercise huge influence over prevailing narratives of national identity and collective memory. Both are major economic players in domestic media markets and serve as key instruments of industrial policies from technology R&D to the creative industries of Cool Japan and Cool Britannia Yet despite remarkably similar organizational and funding structures, they differ widely in their editorial autonomy, relationship to the state, and in the social, cultural and economic roles they play. While the BBC, proud of its editorial independence, acts as a watchdog on the powerful, NHK prefers a guide dog role cooperating with rather than confronting political elites. The BBC is also more willing to challenge prevailing social norms, its entertainment programming often serving as an agent of social change. NHK generally prefers to avoid controversy, serving as an agent of social stability.

The book shows how these differences have been shaped by decades of conflict and cooperation between the broadcasters, governments, commercial media, interest groups and audiences. The broadcasters adopted distinctive editorial strategies to retain public support and elite approval in the face of technological upheaval, hostility from commercial rivals, and continuous political interference. Both, however, continue to uphold the belief that democratic and social goals are better served by public rather than commercial media.

1. Introducing NHK and the BBC

2. Same Rules, Same Remits

3. Different Roles

4. Chaos of the Ether (Radio 1920s-1940s)

5. NHK Remade (1945-1952)

6. Sex and Violence (Television 1950s-1970s)

7. Video Didn't Kill the Radio Star (Satellite TV 1980s-1990s)

8. Moving Online (Internet 2000s)

9. Battles for the BBC (2000-2021)

10. NHK and Politics 2000-2021: Abe, Memory, and Nostalgia

11. NHK and the Comfort Women

12. Not Dead Yet! The Future of Public Service Media

Full details can be found at the publisher's website: