Uchikura & Co., LLC

Many people wonder why major media outlets in Japan and the United States so often appear left-leaning. The common explanation is that the media is supposed to “question authority,” and therefore becomes naturally critical of those in power. But this explanation fails when we look at what actually happens. The criticism is not consistent. It is selective.

 

When conservative governments are in power, the media attacks strongly and relentlessly. Every decision, every statement, and every policy becomes a target. Yet when left-leaning governments take office, the tone suddenly softens. Scandals are downplayed, failures receive less attention, and negative outcomes are explained away. In some cases, criticism nearly disappears. This is not the behavior of a neutral watchdog. It is the behavior of a media environment whose cultural values and internal biases lean in one direction.

 

Why does this happen? One reason is the background of the media industry itself. Large news organizations are concentrated in major urban cities—Tokyo, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles—where the dominant culture is more progressive. Journalists living and working in these areas often share similar political assumptions. Their social circles, universities, and professional environments reinforce these views. As a result, their reporting naturally reflects the values around them, even if unintentionally.

 

Another factor is the business model. Media companies depend on audience engagement, and the audiences they serve—especially in big cities—tend to favor left-leaning narratives. Highlighting social issues, portraying government authority as suspicious when it is conservative, and presenting activist perspectives as mainstream are strategies that appeal to these viewers. Conversely, challenging left-leaning policies risks alienating their core audience and advertisers. So the imbalance continues.

 

This does not mean every journalist is biased on purpose. Rather, the structure of the industry rewards certain viewpoints and discourages others. The result is coverage that consistently seems sympathetic toward left-leaning leaders and harsh toward conservative ones.

 

In the end, the problem is not that the media questions authority. The problem is that it only questions some authority. When power shifts to the left, much of the press shifts with it. This selective scrutiny creates a misleading sense of neutrality while shaping public opinion in one direction. Until the media applies the same level of pressure to all sides, trust will continue to decline.