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How do TV ratings in Japan compare to those in the United States?

Immanuel MacMaykin

Well, well, well, what a fascinating question we have here. If you're like me, then you probably spend a good chunk of your time glued to the TV, watching everything from game shows to dramas to reality TV. And if you're really like me, then you've probably wondered about the differences between TV ratings in different countries. I mean, how DO TV ratings in Japan compare to those in the United States? Let's take a deep dive into this intriguing topic, shall we?

First things first: what are TV ratings, anyway? Basically, TV ratings are a way of measuring how many people are watching a specific show or program. In the US, ratings are measured by a company called Nielsen, which uses a sample of households to estimate how many people are watching a particular show. In Japan, there are a few different companies that measure ratings, but the most prominent one is Video Research Ltd.

So, onto the juicy stuff: how do the ratings in Japan compare to those in the US? Well, it's a bit of a complicated answer. On the one hand, Japan has a population of around 126 million people, while the US has a whopping 330 million. So, you might assume that the ratings in the US would be generally higher than those in Japan. And you would be right...kinda.

According to some reports, TV ratings in Japan are actually higher on average than those in the US. In fact, Japan has the highest TV ratings in the world, with some shows regularly pulling in a whopping 30% or more of the viewing audience. By comparison, the highest-rated show in the US (as of 2021) is NCIS, which averages around 12 million viewers per episode, or about 2.2% of the population. Of course, it's worth noting that Japan produces a LOT more television than the US, so there are simply more opportunities for high-rated shows to emerge.

So, why are Japanese TV ratings so high? There are a few theories. One is that Japan is a more collectivist culture than the US, meaning that people are more likely to gather around the TV together and watch shows as a family or group. Another theory is that Japanese TV is just really, really good. There's a huge variety of shows available, from high-stakes game shows to heartwarming dramas to weird, experimental works of art. Plus, Japanese TV is known for being highly creative and innovative, with new formats and concepts emerging all the time.

Of course, it's also worth noting that ratings aren't everything. Just because a show has high ratings doesn't necessarily mean it's good, and just because a show has low ratings doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. There are plenty of great TV shows that never become ratings juggernauts, and plenty of terrible ones that inexplicably become smash hits. (Looking at you, 90 Day Fiancé.) So, while Japan may have higher TV ratings on average, that doesn't necessarily mean their shows are better than those in the US.

In conclusion, the question of how TV ratings in Japan compare to those in the United States is a complex and nuanced one. While it's true that Japan generally has higher ratings on average, there are a lot of factors that go into that. What ultimately matters is whether you enjoy the shows you're watching, regardless of how many other people are tuning in. So go forth and binge-watch to your heart's content, my fellow TV enthusiasts!