Sustaining and Challenging Cultural Norms: Yomiuri’s & Asahi’s Coverage of Full Cancer Disclosure

This study analyzes how Japan’s two leading newspapers, Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, covered and initiated public discussion about a controversial, cultural issue — the full disclosure about cancer to patients. A content analysis found a tendency among both Yomiuri and Asahi to cover physicians more than other news sources; to provide more access in editorials to lay persons rather than experts or other professionals and to use news sources who were more neutral (as opposed to proponents or opponents) about cancer disclosure policy issues The study also found Yomiuri and Asahi had a tendency to publish neutral (rather than unfavorable or favorable) editorials about cancer disclosure policy issues. The study illustrates how two major Japanese newspapers balance issues and frame criticism. The study suggests two of Japan’s major newspapers provided diverse perspectives within a challenging cultural context. In 1980s, full cancer disclosure to patients was rare in Japanese medical practice and represented a controversial topic that separated various medical and lay perspectives. 7