Release of New Report 'Diamond Media White Paper 2026' Analyzing the Japanese Media Industry
Diamond Inc. has released the 'Diamond Media White Paper 2026'. A survey reveals that over 80% of media companies use generative AI, but the biggest hurdle for digital transformation is the shortage of human resources.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 25m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 06:01 (583h 5m after Collected)
Diamond Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) will release the 'Diamond Media White Paper 2026', a research report analyzing the current state and future of the Japanese media industry, on March 30, 2026.
A survey on generative AI, responded to by 104 Japanese media companies, revealed that more than 80% of media companies have introduced generative AI in some form. On the other hand, only 28% of companies have implemented it company-wide, showing that in many media companies, utilization is limited to certain departments or at the individual level.
This white paper was created as a joint research project between Diamond's research team, 'Diamond Media Lab Office', and Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi of the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), International University of Japan.
The environment surrounding the media industry is undergoing significant changes, including the spread of generative AI, the advancement of digitalization, and shifts in trust toward the media. Based on questionnaire surveys of Japanese media companies and analysis of existing survey data, this white paper clarifies the 'current location' of the Japanese media industry from three perspectives: 'The actual state of generative AI introduction and utilization', 'The future vision drawn by media company executives', and 'Changes in trust towards the media'.
Key Findings
1. 80% of media companies have introduced generative AI
A survey on generative AI answered by 104 media companies showed that over 80% have introduced generative AI. However, only 28% have fully implemented it company-wide, and in many companies, its use is limited to specific departments or individuals. Furthermore, it was confirmed that over 40% of the companies that have introduced generative AI are using it without clear guidelines.
[Figure 1] Status of Generative AI Introduction in Media Companies
2. The biggest challenge faced by media executives in DX is 'Human Resources'
A survey answered by 82 executives and management-level personnel of media companies revealed that as digitalization and the spread of generative AI progress, the biggest challenge in advancing DX is 'human resources'. Many executives cited 'shortage of digital talent', 'lack of internal skills', and 'difficulty in transforming corporate culture', highlighting that human resource and organizational issues are greater barriers to DX promotion than the technology itself.
3. Media trust is not 'declining' but 'transforming'
As a result of analyzing existing large-scale survey data, while there is a downward trend in trust towards the media in some areas, the relationship with media usage is weakening. This suggests a situation that should be viewed as 'differentiation and transformation of trust' rather than a 'loss of trust'. People are showing a stronger tendency to selectively use multiple information sources depending on their purpose, rather than placing full trust in a specific media outlet.
[Comment from Joint Researcher Shinichi Yamaguchi]
With the evolution of generative AI, we are in an era where anyone can create sophisticated fake images and videos, drastically changing our information environment. While the media gains opportunities for efficiency through AI, the nature of trust and responsibility, including how to deal with fake information, is being questioned more than ever. This white paper visualizes these changes based on data rather than mere sentiment, providing useful implications for considering the current state and future direction of the media industry through the actual usage of generative AI, management challenges, and changes in societal trust.
About 'DIAMOND Media White Paper 2026'
This white paper consists of the following three chapters:
Chapter 1: The Impact of Generative AI on the Media Industry
Survey of 104 media companies
A survey on generative AI, responded to by 104 Japanese media companies, revealed that more than 80% of media companies have introduced generative AI in some form. On the other hand, only 28% of companies have implemented it company-wide, showing that in many media companies, utilization is limited to certain departments or at the individual level.
This white paper was created as a joint research project between Diamond's research team, 'Diamond Media Lab Office', and Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi of the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), International University of Japan.
The environment surrounding the media industry is undergoing significant changes, including the spread of generative AI, the advancement of digitalization, and shifts in trust toward the media. Based on questionnaire surveys of Japanese media companies and analysis of existing survey data, this white paper clarifies the 'current location' of the Japanese media industry from three perspectives: 'The actual state of generative AI introduction and utilization', 'The future vision drawn by media company executives', and 'Changes in trust towards the media'.
Key Findings
1. 80% of media companies have introduced generative AI
A survey on generative AI answered by 104 media companies showed that over 80% have introduced generative AI. However, only 28% have fully implemented it company-wide, and in many companies, its use is limited to specific departments or individuals. Furthermore, it was confirmed that over 40% of the companies that have introduced generative AI are using it without clear guidelines.
[Figure 1] Status of Generative AI Introduction in Media Companies
2. The biggest challenge faced by media executives in DX is 'Human Resources'
A survey answered by 82 executives and management-level personnel of media companies revealed that as digitalization and the spread of generative AI progress, the biggest challenge in advancing DX is 'human resources'. Many executives cited 'shortage of digital talent', 'lack of internal skills', and 'difficulty in transforming corporate culture', highlighting that human resource and organizational issues are greater barriers to DX promotion than the technology itself.
3. Media trust is not 'declining' but 'transforming'
As a result of analyzing existing large-scale survey data, while there is a downward trend in trust towards the media in some areas, the relationship with media usage is weakening. This suggests a situation that should be viewed as 'differentiation and transformation of trust' rather than a 'loss of trust'. People are showing a stronger tendency to selectively use multiple information sources depending on their purpose, rather than placing full trust in a specific media outlet.
[Comment from Joint Researcher Shinichi Yamaguchi]
With the evolution of generative AI, we are in an era where anyone can create sophisticated fake images and videos, drastically changing our information environment. While the media gains opportunities for efficiency through AI, the nature of trust and responsibility, including how to deal with fake information, is being questioned more than ever. This white paper visualizes these changes based on data rather than mere sentiment, providing useful implications for considering the current state and future direction of the media industry through the actual usage of generative AI, management challenges, and changes in societal trust.
About 'DIAMOND Media White Paper 2026'
This white paper consists of the following three chapters:
Chapter 1: The Impact of Generative AI on the Media Industry
Survey of 104 media companies