Climate Change Governance and Media : Media Exposure , Public Opinion and “the Most Important Issues,” By the Japanese Public

This paper explore the relationships among media exposure and public perception towards the climate change issues, to understand the role of the media and public opinion for better climate change governance of Japan. After the Great earthquake in March 2011, it is said that public has lost their interest with climate change issues, but for the Japanese government, the nexus of climate change-energy option- nuclear power has been paid more attention than before. Using the results of our public opinion survey in 2008, 2012, 2013, and monthly survey from 2005, we discuss the role of media, economy, and nuclear power generations from the Japan’s climate governance point of view.

                In addition to the earthquake and climate change, the perceived importance of the national and global economic situation also changed over time. During our survey period, the world experienced a serious economic crisis after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. These events with global impacts clearly revealed the environment–economy trade-off. After the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, Japan’s economic situation worsened. However, the nuclear accident at the Fukushima plant forced the Japanese people to think about energy issues, which are closely connected to climate change mitigation.