Japan ranks worst among G7 in 2025 world press freedom rankings

You know it is bad when you can't top the Trump administration in press freedom.

Seriously not much better than Nth Korea when it comes to unbiased and relevant reporting!

I remember a japanese reporter from the Mainichi newspaper actually bragging to a group of Sri Lankans that Japanese journalism practices "self censorship" rather than censorship imposed by the govt.

The former is much worse, similar to a cult mentality. The public in repressive countries at least realize their media is controlled and can sometimes read between the lines, whereas in Japan, no one seems to realize what's going on and so often take the news at face value.

As in the previous year, the organization criticized Japan's "press club" system,

 Finally Reporters Without Borders mentioned about "Japan's Press club" which explain why Japanese media for same story no other framing being offered to their reader or their viewer, only official framing and tone? All media in Japan will say the same tone, that's happened when Fukushima crisis took place and also when Carlos Ghosn case took place. Compared that to the same coverage by foreign media, where foreign media have different multiple framing .

To begin with, the Japanese media is required by law to be fair and neutral, but they don't follow that rule at all.

This is why the Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun are criticized as being left-wing.

I think it would be better for them to clearly state their ideological stance, whether right or left, like in the United States.

It is also wrong to completely deny foreign media access to press clubs.

And while the Japanese media pretends to be a third force that keeps a watchful eye on the government, the public does not expect that at all.

The RSF ranking placing Japan at #66 and for example Germany at #11 seems highly questionable. While Japan is criticized for lacking an adversarial press culture, this overlooks cultural norms of nuance and consensus, as well as the existence of ideologically diverse media. In contrast, Germany’s public broadcasters (ÖRR) and mainstream media often operate within a narrow ideological frame, excluding dissenting views through Haltungsjournalismus—a form of “stance journalism” where reporters see themselves as moral guides rather than impartial observers. The German mainstream press is mostly ideological conform and excludes nonconforming voices. Press freedom isn’t just about legal protections—it’s also about whether dissenting voices can be heard without marginalization. By that standard, the RSF index reflects more of a Western ideological bias than true press diversity.

The media is not trustworthy, and this didn't start recently.

Who remembers that time when a story about a presidential candidate's son was buried during the election campaign because it could have repercussions?

Something about a laptop...

That son was pardoned back in January, lol.

It can work both ways so as a reader you have to trust nothing and think for yourself. But when stories don't see the light of day then that's a bad thing.

Thankfully we have freedom of speech at least.

It can work both ways so as a reader you have to trust nothing and think for yourself. But when stories don't see the light of day then that's a bad thing.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information.

Anyway, G7 sucks.. LOL

I wonder about how free the press is in the U. S. . . . In Japan when even something small happens, e. g. a traffic accident where someone is inured or train delays are commonly published in the Japan Today; also, crimes where monetary theft ((1 million yen ~$6500 USD) has occurred are published in the Japan news . . . . whereas in the U. S., I do not believe such news would be published (but be considered as only minor news) . . . .

Agent_NeoToday  07:09 am JST

To begin with, the Japanese media is required by law to be fair and neutral, but they don't follow that rule at all.

Indeed not. Remember Katsuto Momii, the NHK president appointed by Shinzo Abe, who said, "We cannot turn left when the government says right"?

This is why the Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun are criticized as being left-wing.

Slavishly following the government (i.e. LDP) line is okay though, is it? I assume you don't have any problems with the Yomiuri Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun being right-wing?

I expect that the 記者クラブ will announce that Japan is in fact world number 1 in press freedom, to cries of 万歳！and ナンバーワン！

You know it is bad when you can't top the Trump administration in press freedom.

A lot of the deterioration of freedom of press in the US is very recent, Japan still have the hope of being second to last when the rankings reflect the current situation and US descend a few more spots.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information.

Which is objectively much worse, because people doing it are not thinking by themselves, they are allowing people that are not trustworthy to do the thinking and then the public can simply latch to them and believe the content simply because it confirm their bias and prejudice.

TokyoLivingToday 07:45 am JST

Anyway, G7 sucks.. LOL

Oh, well clearly China doesn't belong at the absolute bottom then.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information.

Which is objectively much worse, because people doing it are not thinking by themselves, they are allowing people that are not trustworthy to do the thinking and then the public can simply latch to them and believe the content simply because it confirm their bias and prejudice.

And you think MSM is trustworthy? The article is actually about how we don't have press freedom. Government (or deep state) pressure and corporate sponsors made sure the MSM is not trustworthy.

Regarding the United States, the organization said, "The country is experiencing its first significant and prolonged decline in press freedom in modern history, and Donald Trump's return to the presidency is greatly exacerbating the situation."

.

I disagree.

Under the Biden administration the press briefings were farcical with reporters’ questions being dismissed or not answered with the ubiquitous “I cannot speak to that”

The press briefings under the Trump administration are supported by several outlets and are full of information.

Not only the press secretary but several members of the administration are often there on hand and are articulate and rational in their comments and answers to questions.

Wick's pencilToday  07:44 am JST

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information.

I don't really see how that's better, to be honest. What makes other news sources any more reliable or free from bias or outside influence? It's absurd to think that the "MSM" is any better or any worse than any other sort of organisation, and to suppose that there isn't going to be any bias, error or misconduct. If there's any sort of sensitive or controversial topic it's best to take everything with a pinch of salt, see what a few different outlets have to say about it and then decide what's true or correct by yourself.

And you think MSM is trustworthy?

Much more than social media by far, at least you can check names and careers and easily find out funding and conflicts of interest. Lack of freedom of press is a moot argument in the age of internet where international sources (again that can be made responsible if publishing falsehoods) are available for anybody.

Of course that actually doing the work and consulting several reliable sources is much harder than just letting your favorite youtuber tell you that whatever you believe is right, but it is also much better.

SanjinosebleedToday  06:24 am JST

Seriously not much better than Nth Korea when it comes to unbiased and relevant reporting!

Japanese right-wing politicians are just two or three generations removed from militarist totalitarian fascists and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I suspect they secretly look on the media in North Korea with envy and admiration. They've already got posters up everywhere with their stupid smug faces leering out of them, which is very much what I'd expect to see in North Korea.

""As in the previous year, the organization criticized Japan's "press club" system, which it says only grants key media outlets access to news conferences and senior officials, encouraging self-censorship and discriminating against foreign journalists.""

"Democracy DIES in Darkness" B. Woodward.

The press club system is terrible. Among other things it excludes qualified journalists from overseas. It’s Racist and discriminatory.

Every time a dictator Takes Over his or or her top priorities are :

1- Control the military and the secret police.

2- Control the Media.

3- Incircle yourself with loyalists who will suck the oxygen out of society.

4- Control the life lines to all aspects of life within that society.

We are seeing More and More of that recently as we watch Democracies crumble under pressure.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information.

I don't really see how that's better, to be honest.

If you get information from any random online source, I agree that isn't any better. But if you're discerning enough you can certainly find something better than the uniform, agenda-driven MSM.

stickman1760Today  09:56 am JST

The press club system is terrible. Among other things it excludes qualified journalists from overseas. It’s Racist and discriminatory.

I think the idea is to prevent any problems with journalists who don't have a proper Japanese "understanding" of how the government thinks the media should operate.

Is this ranking reliable?

In 2010, Japan was ranked 12th, and I don't think the state of the news society has changed that much. The Communist Party's Akahata Shinbun, Tokyo Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, etc. have been ruthless in their criticism of the administration.

However, it is a big problem that the media had not reported about Johnny's.

This is the reason I never waste my time reading J-newspapers. TV news is also carefully curated as to become the gold-standard of fake news, no better than western MSM whose consumption is mostly a waste of time and can be bad for one's mental health.

Japanese media is not part of the worldwide MSM and is very much limited to Japanese people or people who read Japanese. Its international news lacks "boots on the ground" for reporting. There are many international conflicts that it does not report. The English versions are translations of the Japanese versions.

International media groups have resources for new reporting, unlike posts on social media sites or blogs. They have the resources to certify an article.

The Japanese press needs to look at the Norwegian press, who rank in the top position for press freedom.

Both Japan and the US have the lowest rankings in the G7 and badly need to improve on that. Both should at least be in the top ten.

 But if you're discerning enough you can certainly find something better than the uniform, agenda-driven MSMi

Give us a few examples of good alternative media sources?

It seems to have led you down a path of seeing conspiracies everywhere.

Anyway, links would be lovely.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information

Sounds great.

Could you post a few links to ‘elsewhere’?

Thanks in advance.

"Japan trailed other members of the Group of Seven countries in the 2025 world press freedom rankings as government pressure on news outlets has become common practice, a media freedom group said Friday."

Wait a minute, and who made this media freedom group clowns, the judge, the prosecutor and the executioner? Does accompanying Hamas on October 7 in Israel attack comes with a higher ranking?

Sanjinosebleed - how dare you compare Japan to North Korea. The country’s political system is riddled with nepotism and it can’t even deliver staple food to its citizens. Whereas North Korea…

Makes sense, censorship is all being directed by Japan's Govt., everyone knows it and all one-party Democracies like Japan seeks to control media directly and indirectly.

Democracy is supposed to be a competition of ideas, which are expressed within different types of media. Thankfully, media is becoming more diverse and competitive and thus protecting Democracy itself.

Voters need to be educated via various valid and competing viewpoints, that's the strength of Democracy.

Wait a minute, and who made this media freedom group clowns, the judge, the prosecutor and the executioner? Does accompanying Hamas on October 7 in Israel attack comes with a higher ranking?

There are no prosecutions or executions. RSF has earned its respect since its formation in 1985.

Israel is 112th.

Great news, as Democracy means nothing without secure borders, free, fair, competitive, ethical media and ensuring integrity of elections with ONLY Citizens Voting.

Majority of US citizens (All Countries) agree with Above

DJ Trump = Common Sense

HopeSpringsEternal

Makes sense, censorship is all being directed by Japan's Govt., everyone knows it and all one-party Democracies like Japan seeks to control media directly and indirectly.

Your country, the US, holds the second-lowest ranking of the G7. The US is 57th and Japan 66th. Not much difference there.

Trump is exerting more censorship on the US media.

Alarm bells: Trump’s first 100 days ramp up fear for the press, democracy

https://cpj.org/special-reports/alarm-bells-trumps-first-100-days-ramp-up-fear-for-the-press-democracy/

The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

103 Killed in 2024.

361 Imprisoned in 2024.

67 Missing in 2024.

https://cpj.org/

Despite having the lowest ranking in press freedom, the public here seems to trust MSM in general.

Voters need to be educated via various valid and competing viewpoints

Who is doing the educating?

You watch Tucker Carlson and Louder with Crowder.

Are they the people you have in mind?

wallaceToday  10:45 am JST

The Japanese press needs to look at the Norwegian press, who rank in the top position for press freedom.

So does the Japanese government, but there was still feudalism in Japan until the late 19th Century and I think the politicians see themselves as modern-day daimyo and samurai, and the ordinary public as peasants and serfs who should accept their place in society without question. Therefore it wouldn't do at all for the media to make the new ruling caste look as self-serving, corrupt and incompetent as it really is.

Simon Foston

The Japanese press needs to look at the Norwegian press, who rank in the top position for press freedom.

So does the Japanese government, but there was still feudalism in Japan until the late 19th Century and I think the politicians see themselves as modern-day daimyo and samurai, and the ordinary public as peasants and serfs who should accept their place in society without question. Therefore it wouldn't do at all for the media to make the new ruling caste look as self-serving, corrupt and incompetent as it really is.

I have lived here for more than 30 years and disagree with your comment. The government should look at improving press freedom, but the pressure can also come from the media. I know several politicians in both houses.

If Japan were so free and open, there would be MUCH more FDI entering the country. As things stand today, Japan attracts FAR less FDI than ANY developed country

Lack of Freedom the Press in Japan destroys risk taking and innovation as well, because the legacy players control the media and Govt. Another reason why Japan's VC and PE industries hardly exist.

It turns out corruption of society is a cancer/see above, making growth impossible and thus you get the opposite, a slow steady inevitable decline.

If Japan were so free and open, there would be MUCH more FDI entering the country. As things stand today, Japan attracts FAR less FDI than ANY developed country, as a % of GDP

Lack of Freedom the Press in Japan destroys risk taking and innovation as well, because the legacy players control the media and Govt. Another reason why Japan's VC and PE industries hardly exist.

It turns out corruption of society is a cancer/see above, making growth impossible and thus you get the opposite, a slow steady inevitable decline.

If you get information from any random online source, I agree that isn't any better. But if you're discerning enough you can certainly find something better than the uniform, agenda-driven MSM.

That does not apply when your concept of "discerning" means consuming the opinions you agree with and ignore the rest. Anybody with actual media literacy can do it with traditional media the same and thee will be nothing lacking about it, with the huge advantage of having accountability for the information being consumed.

Wait a minute, and who made this media freedom group clowns, the judge, the prosecutor and the executioner? Does accompanying Hamas on October 7 in Israel attack comes with a higher ranking?

If the only argument you have to disqualify the rankings are ridiculous accusations you are accepting that you have no real reason to doubt them.

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information

Sounds great.

Could you post a few links to ‘elsewhere’?

https://m.youtube.com/@TheDuran

https://m.youtube.com/@PrevMedHealth

https://m.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas

HopeSpringsEternal

Lack of Freedom the Press in Japan destroys risk taking and innovation as well, because the legacy players control the media and Govt. Another reason why Japan's VC and PE industries hardly exist.

Can you explain the lack of press freedom in the US? 57th place ranking.

Let's see. Unless Japanese media can report freely on the exploits of MoJ, there will be no freedom.

It's all a judgment regarding press freedom, but it's obvious to all that diversity of sources is a key component of freedom. US has a huge social media movement, influencers, podcasters, etc. unlike Japan

So long as citizens of any country can listen to diverse and competing points of view, competition for eyeballs, then Democracy will remain vibrant and healthy.

DJ Trump understood long ago importance of not relying on mainstream media, building media skillsets, use of non-traditional media like X and Truth Social etc.

Hopefully Japan and many other countries can cultivate equally dynamic politicians to 'disrupt' society and in doing so make the policy changes needed to better ensure survival of Democracy and success in general

The legacy media is the 'glue' that has connected legacy political class with their legacy special $interests.

In turns out most in Democracy not so keen on above model, as "special $interests' do not represent the will of the majority of the people, but rather a tiny minority.

DJ Trump won working, union and middle-class voters, because he rejected $special interest money, why he was always vastly outraised in elections, including in Nov

That's why so many are abandoning MSM and going elsewhere for information

Sounds great.

Could you post a few links to ‘elsewhere’?

https://m.youtube.com/@TheDuran

https://m.youtube.com/@PrevMedHealth

https://m.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas

Much appreciated mate. I don’t know why you were thumbed down.

Can I ask why you see these sources as trustworthy?

You have got to be kidding me!

https://m.youtube.com/@TheDuran

https://m.youtube.com/@PrevMedHealth

https://m.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas

So you consider trustworthy sites that promote proven lies for profit?

At least prevmedhealth has the honesty of not using the Rod of Asclepius (symbol of medicine) to represent their services, and instead use the Caduceus, symbol of the god of merchants, thieves and outlaws.

To be honest, I am surprised it doesn't rank way lower than that.

In Japan there is only 1 channel presenting the news, NHK, and it seems all other media just copy/paste the information from that corrupt station with zero double checking and an other profession journalism. In general NHK is the LDP's lapdog station, only presenting the government news in a propaganda type format. No wonder they receive so much support from the government for their Mafia type contracts and harrasement of the population with their callous TV contracts.

DanteKH, mind control here indeed scary, due to lack of media diversification, corruption runs deep when legacy media or any industry has no competition.

Well said, couldn't agree more, turns out 'truth' is more complicated than 'media' narrative controlled by Govt and their many 'industry' $special interest partners....

DanteKHToday  12:41 pm JST

To be honest, I am surprised it doesn't rank way lower than that.

In Japan there is only 1 channel presenting the news, NHK, and it seems all other media just copy/paste the information from that corrupt station with zero double checking and an other profession journalism. In general NHK is the LDP's lapdog station, only presenting the government news in a propaganda type format. No wonder they receive so much support from the government for their Mafia type contracts and harrasement of the population with their callous TV contracts.

Pointing fingers about Japan and of course Trump, while the real story was just a sidenote tacked on at the very end.

Norway topped the list for the ninth consecutive year, with Ukraine ranked 62nd, Russia 171st, China 178th, North Korea 179th and Eritrea in last place.

A story about press freedom published by those that feel the need to shutdown and moderate their own audience. It really is something.

If I look at the 'press freedom' in Germany, where alternative media outlets have their bank accounts closed, where a modern day Stasi (Verfassungsschutz) has the home of a media outlet raided, the operation closed, and even though it turns out that was unconstitutional there are zero consequences for the ministries and government involved, I think Germany deserves to be the worst, definitely not Japan.

Highly doubtable. I bet Germany is worse

https://m.youtube.com/@TheDuran

https://m.youtube.com/@PrevMedHealth

https://m.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas

So you consider trustworthy sites that promote proven lies for profit?

Such as? Can you provide one example of a proven lie from those sites?

What makes it even worse for Japan is that there is little freedom of press in the other G7 countries. Their mainstream media organizations are full of anti-Russian, anti-Chinese, anti-Palestinian and pro-Israeli propaganda. And not one of these organizations covered the recent mass demonstrations against the US puppet government in Taiwan. And the press hasn't been very honest about Niger, Congo, Iran, and the rest of the Global Majority. Virtue signalling and distractions like diversity and equality can't mask the bias.

"Japan trailed other members of the Group of Seven countries in the 2025 world press freedom rankings as government pressure on news outlets has become common practice, a media freedom group said Friday."

This media freedom group should rename itself to "do what I say not what I do." Because Media freedom died years ago when they stopped being the gatekeepers for the people and turned into partisan political hacks with no relevance.

From about decade before, Japan's press freedom index is nearby 70th.

But Japanese major media still report on this issue as if it's someone else's problem despite themselves issue. For example, though Japan is always lower than US, what Nikkei emphasized at their headline was "crisis of US journalism", continue to escape from facing themselves.

Such as? Can you provide one example of a proven lie from those sites?

The simple fact of presenting chronic disease as a choice of the patients (optional) is terribly obvious, there is no way to guarantee a person will not develop any chronic disease, no matter how healthy is his diet and lifestyle, the only people that say this are those that are trying to mislead people for money promising impossible things systematically.

This media freedom group should rename itself to "do what I say not what I do."

Which media freedom group are you talking about? are you confused about a whole category of groups as if it was the title of a specific group? because that would betray a very low media literacy. Is almost as ridiculous as claiming they are together with Hamas for making the rankings.

Cephus

This media freedom group should rename itself to "do what I say not what I do." Because Media freedom died years ago when they stopped being the gatekeepers for the people and turned into partisan political hacks with no relevance.

It is not a media publishing group. Do you only read the US media? There are hundreds of thousands without any political leaning, like the Euro News, for instance. Reports but does not comment.

"It is not a media publishing group. Do you only read the US media? There are hundreds of thousands without any political leaning, like the Euro News, for instance. Reports but does not comment."

I mean reporters without borders, although no visible group that doesn't mean they are no affiliation to come up with such a complex index greater organization is required.

I'm not so sure whether "press freedom" is such a great thing. Does it mean newspapers should be free to tell lies in order to pander to their readers? I'd be interested to see other statistics - how factual are the articles, how full the coverage is in articles, how non-opiniated are the articles. But it's probably not so easy to gather such information.

Meanwhile, the link below from the comedy show Yes, Prime Minister gives a good description of who the British press pander to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGscoaUWW2M

Press "freedom" is only great thing for those interested in truth, and especially keeping those in power within society accountable, so they don't harm us or society.

Competition of ideas, keeps markets healthy, applies to society as a whole, as most want to choose those who best represent our values and vision for the future. This competition requires a Free and Open Press.

For those that simply want to 'trust' those in power, then freedom of the press has no real value and only makes life more complicated and confusing.

@kokontozai

Is this ranking reliable?

In 2010, Japan was ranked 12th, and I don't think the state of the news society has changed that much.

Yes in 2010 things were much better.

Then when Abe came to power again in 2012 he put into place measures which raised eyebrows.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/27/the-silencing-of-japans-free-press-shinzo-abe-media/

https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/shinzo-abes-glass-jaw-and-media-muzzling-in-japan/

Interesting that posters who question Japanese press freedom are uniformly downvoted on JT regardless of what valid points they make.

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:41 pm JST

Press "freedom" is only great thing for those interested in truth, and especially keeping those in power within society accountable, so they don't harm us or society.

I agree. It is all about keeping the president accountable since he has been granted such excessive powers.

Anyone actually look into who is behind JT and sets its rules/agenda?

Not surprised.

Because JT is a perfect example of press freedom and commentary in Japan i.e. comment moderated and you can no longer comnent on this article lol

Societies in 'trouble' strongly correlated seeking to limit Press Freedom. Happiest countries in the world, typically northern Europe, have greater free press, because they're not hiding things, nothing to fear etc.

Reason Trump Admin. transparent, constantly opening up to Media, relative to Biden Admin, they're messaging they have nothing to hide and in doing so they're building trust, even if you disagree with their message.

Also, good way to keep the press more accountable.

Pretty obvious Japan's got LOTS to hide these days, as voters not very happy, thus Media's very controlled

Quote

Freedom of the press is the right of journalists and media organizations to report news and express opinions without interference or control by the government. It's a key part of democratic societies and is protected by law in many countries, such as through the First Amendment in the United States.

This freedom includes:

The right to gather and publish information without censorship.

The right to criticize the government and other powerful entities.

The protection of journalists from being forced to reveal their sources (in some jurisdictions).

The ability to operate independently, free from political or economic pressure.

However, it’s not absolute. Press freedom is often limited by laws against:

Defamation or libel

Publishing classified or harmful material (e.g. national security issues)

Inciting violence or spreading hate speech

Unquote

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:54 pm JST

Reason Trump Admin. transparent, constantly opening up to Media, relative to Biden Admin, they're messaging they have nothing to hide and in doing so they're building trust, even if you disagree with their message.

Putting out belligerent flunkies is not opening up to the media. Lying to everyone including judges is also not transparency.

When Trump Opens up his Cabinet meeting for hours to the media, those are not flunkies lying to everyone. It's called media transparency, making the Media and press more informed, directly engaged and fact based.

Most in US far prefer Trump's media transparency to exact opposite under Biden Admin. It makes media less relevant because viewers can make their own decisions.

Nice one Wallace on Freedom of the Press, excellent summary.

Biggest problems truly reside in media concentration and stakeholders, usually hidden, busy pursuing their 'political' agenda, while naturally calling it free press.

Why new forms of media and media strategies pursued by Trump Admin are critical to ensure media accuracy.