Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'major newspaper' is most commonly expressed with the word 大手新聞 (ōte shinbun), which refers to large, nationally circulated newspapers. There are also specific names for the top national papers, and related terms for different types of newspapers.
大手新聞
major newspaper
Referring to a major newspaper company or its publication, typically with nationwide distribution and high circulation.
This is the standard term for a major newspaper, emphasizing the scale and influence of the company. It is used in both spoken and written contexts.
彼は大手新聞の記者です。
He is a reporter for a major newspaper.
大手新聞はその事件を大きく報道した。
The major newspapers covered the incident extensively.
Literally 'national newspaper', this term emphasizes nationwide circulation rather than just size. It is often used to distinguish from regional or local papers.
全国紙は地方紙より発行部数が多い。
National newspapers have larger circulation than local papers.
Means 'leading newspaper' or 'major newspaper', often used in formal contexts or when listing important publications.
主要新聞各紙がこの問題を取り上げた。
All the major newspapers took up this issue.
Referring to one of the well-known national newspapers by name.
In Japanese, it is common to refer to major newspapers by their names, such as 読売新聞 (Yomiuri Shimbun), 朝日新聞 (Asahi Shimbun), 毎日新聞 (Mainichi Shimbun), 日本経済新聞 (Nihon Keizai Shimbun), or 産経新聞 (Sankei Shimbun). These are the five major national newspapers.
読売新聞は日本で最も発行部数が多い。
The Yomiuri Shimbun has the largest circulation in Japan.
朝日新聞の社説を読んだ。
I read the editorial in the Asahi Shimbun.
Referring to the newspaper as a business entity or corporation.
Adds 社 (company) to 大手新聞, explicitly referring to the newspaper company rather than the publication itself.
彼女は大手新聞社に就職した。
She got a job at a major newspaper company.
新聞 (shinbun) refers to the newspaper as a publication, while 新聞社 (shinbunsha) refers to the newspaper company. Use 新聞 when talking about the paper itself (reading it, articles in it), and 新聞社 when talking about the organization (working for it, its policies).
全国紙 (zenkokushi) are national newspapers distributed across the country, while 地方紙 (chihōshi) are local or regional newspapers. Major newspapers are typically 全国紙, but some large regional papers like 中日新聞 (Chūnichi Shimbun) or 西日本新聞 (Nishinippon Shimbun) are also considered major in their areas.