New Report 'Diamond Media White Paper 2026' Unveiled, Analyzing Japan's Media Industry

Diamond Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) will release the research report 'Diamond Media White Paper 2026' on March 30, 2026, analyzing the current state and future of Japan's media industry. A survey on generative AI, to which 104 Japanese media companies responded, revealed that over 80% of media companies have introduced generative AI in some form. On the other hand, only 28% of companies have introduced it company-wide, indicating that in many media companies, its use is limited to specific departments or individual levels. This white paper was created as a joint research project between Diamond Inc.'s research team, the 'Diamond Media Lab Office,' and Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi of the Global Communication Center (GLOCOM) at International University of Japan. The media industry environment is undergoing significant changes, including the spread of generative AI, advancements in digitalization, and shifts in media trust. Based on a survey of Japanese media companies and analysis of existing research data, this white paper clarifies the 'current position' of Japan's media industry from three perspectives: 'the reality of generative AI introduction and utilization,' 'the future vision drawn by media company executives,' and 'changes in trust towards media.'

▼ Key Research Findings ① Over 80% of Media Companies Have Introduced Generative AI A survey on generative AI, to which 104 media companies responded, found that over 80% of companies have introduced generative AI. However, only 28% of companies have fully implemented it company-wide, with many companies limiting its use to specific departments or individuals. Furthermore, it was confirmed that over 40% of companies that have introduced generative AI are using it without clear guidelines. 【Figure 1】Generative AI Introduction Status in Media Companies

② The Biggest Challenge Media Executives Face in DX is 'Human Resources' A survey of 82 media company executives and management revealed that the biggest challenge in advancing DX amid the spread of digitalization and generative AI lies in 'human resources.' Many executives cited 'shortage of digital talent,' 'lack of in-house skills,' and 'difficulty in transforming organizational culture,' indicating that human resources and organizational issues, rather than technology itself, are major obstacles to DX promotion.

③ Media Trust is Not 'Declining' but 'Transforming' Analysis of existing large-scale survey data revealed that while trust in media shows a declining trend in some areas, its relationship with usage is weakening. This suggests that the situation should be understood not as a 'loss of trust' but as a 'diversification and transformation of trust.' People are increasingly inclined to use multiple information sources depending on their purpose, rather than trusting specific media outlets entirely.

【Comment from Joint Researcher Shinichi Yamaguchi】 With the evolution of generative AI, we have entered an era where anyone can create sophisticated fake images and videos, and the information environment surrounding us is changing dramatically. While the media has opportunities for efficiency gains through AI, its trustworthiness and responsibility are being questioned more than ever, including in dealing with fake information. This white paper visualizes these changes based on data, not just intuition, and provides valuable insights for considering the current position and future direction of the media industry through the reality of generative AI utilization, 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 104 media companies