The purpose of this study was to clarify how BMI (brain–machine interface) are depicted in Japaneseand Chinese media. The study focused on the characteristics of and problems with BMI articles innewspapers and academic journals in Japan and China and discussed the social factors which affectmedia framing of BMI in each country. The results were as follows: First, a frequency analysis showedthat the number of Chinese articles on BMI was increasing, while Japanese articles showed decrease.Second, both Japanese and Chinese articles framed BMI positively and rarely focused on the ethicaland social concerns with BMI. However, Chinese media referred to American entrepreneur’s BMImarketization negatively. Third, a correspondence analysis showed that Japanese and Chinese articlesframed invasive BMI and non-invasive BMI differently. We also discussed how social factors, such asprominent social issues, reputation for representatives, international relations, the social environment andmedia characteristics, influenced the direction of media framing.