Newspaper reports and the peaceful use of nuclear power from 1945 to 1963: an analysis of Japan’s Asahi and Yomiuri Shimbun

Abstract

ABSTRACT As a country with few natural resources, Japan has to maintain a varied energy supply to ensure its energy security. However, since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, nuclear power generation, which was promoted as a national policy in the past, has been facing decommission. This study analyzed newspaper reports on Japan’s nuclear policy following World War II, as well as the mutual relationship between the media and policymaking to investigate the development of the country’s post-war nuclear policy and citizens’ safety concerns surrounding nuclear power. The findings demonstrated that by conducting a pro-nuclear power media campaign and using its chairman’s political connections, the newspaper Yomiuri succeeded in swaying public opinion in favor of nuclear power development in Japan. The emphasis on the benefits of the peaceful use of nuclear power by newspaper reports during this period consequently hindered the debate on the development of nuclear power.