Paper short abstract:

Against the background of growing media self-censorship in Japan, this presentation analyses online and offline media strategies of social movement actors in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Paper long abstract:

In the context of growing self-censorship in the Japanese mainstream media landscape, in particular since Prime Minister Abe took office in 2012, this presentation seeks to shed light on media strategies of actors of the anti-nuclear movement since the Fukushima accident in 2011. Media coverage plays an important role in movement mobilization; however, the power relationship between media and social movements leans clearly toward the media. On the other hand, the increase in internet-based media platforms and social media have significantly broadened social movements' possibilities to reach their audiences directly. In the aftermath of the nuclear disaster, many people missed critical reporting in the mainstream media, which led them turning toward the internet for alternative information provided by civil groups. Based on 24 semi-structured interviews with social movement actors in 2013 and 2014 in the Greater Tokyo Area, I ponder the question if, from the perspective of movement actors, internet-based media strategies are a viable alternative to mainstream media contacts. The results indicate that movement groups tend to integrate both media types into their strategies, navigating an expansion of their activities on the internet while at the same time cultivating good relations to movement-friendly journalists.

This presentation is based on my 2019 VSJF-prize winning article "Mit dem Smartphone gegen NHK? Mobilisierungsstrategien der japanischen Anti-Atomkraftbewegung unter Abes restriktiver Medienpolitik". In: Heinrich, Steffen and Vogt, Gabriele (2017) (Eds.): Japan in der Ära Abe. Eine politikwissenschaftliche Analyse. pp. 184-202. München: Iudicium.