Japanese Domestic Radio and Cinema Propaganda, 1937-1945:An Overview

From Film & Radio Propaganda in World War II, 1983.

From the beginning, Japanese radio, and later television, were under the tight supervision of the government. "In December 1923 the Ministry of Communications instituted Regulations on Private Radio Telephonic Broadcasting Facilities. All program content on the radios were to be subjected to government supervision. Later, this rather long-winded named group became the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). “The appointment and dismissal of officials, programme planning, changes of rules and financial arrangements all required approval from the Ministry."

So, basically, everything about how a radio station was run to what it could run was under government control. Pre-censorship was in force, and the author lists the kinds of things that were not allowed on any radio program:

1. Anything that impaired the dignity of the Imperial House
2. Anything that disturbed public order and desirable customs.
3. Items referring to diplomatic or military secrets.
4. Items referring to confidential proceedings in the Diet.
5. Items relating to the contents of preliminary investigations prior to public trials and others prohibited from Government announcements.
6. Items deemed to impair the honor of Government and public offices or of the Army and Navy or items deemed to impair the credit of an individual or groups of individuals.
7. Items deemed to be political speeches or discussions.
8. Items deemed to be advertisements of business or individuals.
9. Items deemed to cause marked disturbance of public sentiments.

Items 3, 4 and 5 make sense, but the rest of the items are strictly to make sure nothing that government doesn't like comes out in public.

1940 was a major year for the government increasing its powers. All political parties were dissolved, replaced by the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, and the Cabinet Information Bureau too over the Communications Ministry's control over the radio.

"The new Bureau declared its aim to be 'The establishment of a military state through the unity and solidarity of the public with the goal of raising morale by radio particularly among farmers and young people.'"

The NHK broadcasts stressed three areas:

1. Japan had been compelled to declare on the Anglo-American powers to survive and maintain her prestige.
2. The main cause of the war was the enemy's desire to conquer the world.
3. Japan's purpose was to establish a peaceful new world.

Some of the shows included "Our Determination," "The People's Resolve," and "Home of War Hour." Jazz and other Western music was banished. War news was broadcast, celebrating the many victories of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Navy. As time wore on, though, and Japan's fortunes declined, shows changed to those trying to get people to work harder and get farmers to produce more food.

The government began turning more and more to entertainment to keep morale up and still slip in some propaganda.

As things got worse, the radio censored reports of damage in Japan itself. Eventually broadcasts from kamikaze bases were added to the programming.

After the war, though, NHK did try to run programs that would help the Japanese people adjust to having lost the war, and trying to get along with the U.S. occupation of Japan.

Some room is given over to Japanese films. One film was Japan in Time of Emergency, turned out in 1933. Japan's virtues were played up, and the West was pictured as decadent and lazy. Films done about the Chinese war played up Japanese victory and tried to make them appear to be welcomed by the Chinese citizenry. A lot of film coverage of their early victories appeared, and films showing training of soldiers were also made. That Japan could possibly lose the war was something to be avoided at all costs.

So, both the U.S. and Japan used radio and films as propaganda methods. There was some censorship on both sides, but it was quite severe on the Japanese side. People in the U.S. had a much clear idea of what was going on in the war than did the citizens of Japan, and that caused some shock when the U.S. began bombing the Japanese mainland, something they weren't supposed to be able to do.

Main Index
Japan main page
Japanese-American Internment Camps index page
Japan and World War II index page