Media and religion in Japan:

This paper analyses the relationship between media and the so-called “new religions’ (shinshūkyō) in Japan. The sarin gas attack on the Tokyo metropolitan subway by members of the Aum Shinrikyō in 1995 was an important turning point in the relationship between media and religions in Japan. In order to avoid harsh criticism new religion groups discontinued big events and massive advertising campaigns. Television broadcasts on new religions were stopped and, between 1996 and 1999, news concerning these groups was very limited. Twelve years after the attacks, groups are considering new ways to use the media, because the past strategies based on advertising and mass events are no longer possible. The re-definition of the media-religion relationship involves a re-construction of religious groups ’ identity. As an example, this paper will focus on Agonshū and Kōfuku no kagaku and their media strategies during the last 20 years. The present analysis is based on fieldwork I did in Japan in 2003-2004 and 2005-2007, interviewing religious groups ’ media representatives and attending ceremonies, workshop and religious festivals