This paper reports the results of the third public opinion survey on COVID-19 conducted by the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute. In this issue, the author examines how people’s attitudes and lives have changed amid the prolonged pandemic, especially focusing on how government policies aimed at what they call “with corona” (living with the coronavirus), such as the relaxation of behavioral restrictions that started in 2022, have affected women and the self-employed, on whom the pandemic has been taking a heavier toll. The key findings are as follows. As many as 84% feel “uneasy” about the spread of infection, but this figure has been decreasing year by year. Compared to the past two surveys, the number of outing opportunities has increased, among which “walking/exercises” and “shopping” have notably recovered. On the other hand, those feeling stress have gradually increased. As in the past two surveys, women have a higher percentage of those feeling stress than men, and the relaxation of behavioral restrictions for “with corona” has had little impact on lowering the number. Those who cited “decrease in income” as a cause of stress account for 19% overall, but 50% for the self-employed. These figures are the same as in the past surveys, showing no sign of recovery yet. As many as about 75% cited they would “wear a mask” (“more frequently than before” and “as much as possible” combined) even if the pandemic was contained. When asked the reasons, 90% cited “hygiene.” Among other reasons, “I don’t want to expose my face” was mentioned by 7% overall, and 16% for both men and women aged 18 through 39. Regarding “downgrading the legal classification of COVID-19,” about 60% were “in favor,” outnumbering “against.” The reasons for “in favor” include “COVID-19 is now less likely to become severe” and those for “against” include “more likely to be infected.”

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In the summer of 2022, to investigate the lives, attitudes, and values of middle and high school students of the Reiwa Era (2019 onward), the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute conducted a public opinion survey titled “The Sixth Survey on the Lives and Attitudes of Middle and High School Students,” aimed at middle and high schoolers and their parents. The previous survey was held ten years ago, and the environment surrounding these students have dramatically changed since then, with the proliferation of social media and the outbreak of COVID-19. The first half of this two-part report focuses on the stress amid the coronavirus pandemic as well as the personal relationships of middle and high schoolers living in an internet society. [Concerns and stresses amid the pandemic] - Stresses living in the pandemic situation include “can’t play at will” and “can’t go out.” Female students show higher percentages of these responses than males do. - As for present concerns, 60% of both middle and high schoolers cited “school grades/entrance exams (to high schools, universities, etc.). 30% of female students mention “appearance,” which is higher than male students. [Internet use of middle and high schoolers] - More than 90% of both middle and high schoolers use social media. - Of those posting on social media, more than 70% feel “not worried” even if they receive little response to their posts, and one out of four has posted for “unspecified readers.” Little resistance to social media and higher internet literacy is observed. [Change in personal relationships on social media] - 40% of high school students have “friends I have communicated with only on social media and never met.” - Those who “don’t have” friends to whom “I can talk about my serious problems” make up about 20% of both middle and high schoolers. [Anxieties and expectations for the future] - For both middle and high schoolers, more than 60% have “high expectations for my future.” Meanwhile, those feeling “anxieties” exceeded 70% for middle schoolers and 80% for high schoolers. - Regarding “to be treated as an adult from the age of 18,” as many as more than half of high schoolers feel “it’s too early.”

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An annual conference of Public Broadcasters International (PBI) was held in November 2022 in Tokyo. The Overseas Media Studies group of the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute researches latest development of the public service media (PSM) around the world, which have been expanding their service beyond traditional broadcast to internet. The group interviewed six representatives of American, European, and Asian PSM who took part in the PBI Tokyo 2022, asking what challenges each media outlet was facing and what roles PSM should play amidst the dramatic change in the environment surrounding information and communication media. In the March issue, the authors examined the challenges and roles of PSM by extracting distinctive remarks from the interviews as well as highlighting common issues. This article features the BBC of the United Kingdom and the KBS of the Republic of Korea, both of which place the licence fee as the foundation of the service, reporting each interview in detail with supplementary information on each country’s broadcasting system and other relevant issues.

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