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Survey: 60% of Japanese Avoid News Due to Depression

6/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A recent SmartNews survey found that 18% of Japanese individuals frequently steer clear of news, with a staggering 60.8% attributing their avoidance to feelings of depression. The trend is particularly pronounced among those in their 30s, raising alarms among experts who warn that this growing disinterest could jeopardize the future of media organizations, as many perceive news as overly sensational or disconnected from their lives.

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Story summary

A recent SmartNews survey found that 18% of Japanese individuals frequently steer clear of news, with a staggering 60.8% attributing their avoidance to feelings of depression. The trend is particularly pronounced among those in their 30s, raising alarms among experts who warn that this growing disinterest could jeopardize the future of media organizations, as many perceive news as overly sensational or disconnected from their lives.