Abstract
Masakazu Nakai has been said to be a pioneer in the theory and practice of interactive communication in Japan. This article points out that, in Nakai's thought, there are two aspects in the relations of the intellectuals and the masses. One aspect he emphasized is the communicative equality of the intellectuals and the masses. The other aspect is the communicative priority of the intellectuals over the masses. This article remarks on his concept of 'Spannung'(tension). This concept is related to his dialectics. In the ordinary context, his dialectics transformed senders or speakers of communication and corresponded to'Mittel'. On the other hand, in the case of the dialectics of 'Spannung', senders of communication didn't have to transform, so 'Spannung'corresponded to'Medium'. In conclusion, Nakai equated'Mittel'with'Medium'.
