Political attitudes and the news media in Japan: Effects of exposure and attention to the news media on political involvement and disapprobation

Based on data gathered from more than 3,000 adults (voters) from all parts of Japan, this study focuses on the extent to which contact with the news media affects political attitudes. The study analyses three media consumption variables: exposure to print and broadcast media in general, attention to their political coverage and political content use, and their relationship with political involvement and disapprobation variables. The results show that there is a strong association within—and between—mass media variables; that contact with both newspapers and television is significantly related to political attitude variables; and that there is great similarity in the way both news media channels affect individuals in Japan. Key terms: Media exposureJapanpolitical involvementdisapprobationmass media variables