Animal welfare must be examined through two interconnected layers: (1) the scientific layer, which evaluates an individual's welfare state; and (2) the social implementation layer, in which scientific understanding is integrated into institutions, norms, and practical applications. This study focuses on wildlife trade and media portrayals in Japan as a domain in which these two layers are simultaneously compromised. Specifically, we compared (1) the explicit inclusion of animal welfare in broadcasting standards and production guidelines; (2) illustrative wildlife portrayals in Japanese television programs, examined for the presence of welfare-relevant contextual information; and (3) welfare-oriented information practices in two selected zoo cases. Our findings indicate that, within the Japanese broadcasting frameworks reviewed, explicit mechanisms for integrating production-stage animal welfare and demand-related considerations into media production remain limited. The selected zoo cases illustrate how contextual information, relevant professional expertise, and attention to visitor behavior can be incorporated into public communication. These comparative results suggest that animal welfare can be embedded in media production in ways compatible with freedom of expression when welfare-relevant considerations are integrated into production and editorial decisions. Potential implementation conditions include welfare-informed planning, relevant expert involvement, and contextual information that reduces misinterpretation and demand-related risks.
Citation: Kanako Ake, Misako Namiki, Ayako Nagakura, Rio Sugiyama. Wildlife portrayals, media production structures, and animal welfare: A report on institutional gaps and comparative practices in Japan[J]. AIMS Animal Science, 2026, 2(2): 84-104. doi: 10.3934/aas.2026007
Animal welfare must be examined through two interconnected layers: (1) the scientific layer, which evaluates an individual's welfare state; and (2) the social implementation layer, in which scientific understanding is integrated into institutions, norms, and practical applications. This study focuses on wildlife trade and media portrayals in Japan as a domain in which these two layers are simultaneously compromised. Specifically, we compared (1) the explicit inclusion of animal welfare in broadcasting standards and production guidelines; (2) illustrative wildlife portrayals in Japanese television programs, examined for the presence of welfare-relevant contextual information; and (3) welfare-oriented information practices in two selected zoo cases. Our findings indicate that, within the Japanese broadcasting frameworks reviewed, explicit mechanisms for integrating production-stage animal welfare and demand-related considerations into media production remain limited. The selected zoo cases illustrate how contextual information, relevant professional expertise, and attention to visitor behavior can be incorporated into public communication. These comparative results suggest that animal welfare can be embedded in media production in ways compatible with freedom of expression when welfare-relevant considerations are integrated into production and editorial decisions. Potential implementation conditions include welfare-informed planning, relevant expert involvement, and contextual information that reduces misinterpretation and demand-related risks.
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Kanako Ake, Misako Namiki, Ayako Nagakura, Rio Sugiyama. Wildlife portrayals, media production structures, and animal welfare: A report on institutional gaps and comparative practices in Japan[J]. AIMS Animal Science, 2026, 2(2): 84-104. doi: 10.3934/aas.2026007
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