Japanese newspapers want readers to keep turning the page

Rival Japanese newspapers pull together to protect the future of print.

As the internet becomes more and more dominate, The Yomiuri Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun and the Nikkei business daily have come together and formed a website where articles from all three papers will be posted online.

The move was described by operators of the papers as an attempt to encourage younger readers into subscribing to print editions of the publications. "We want to increase the influence of newspapers in the world of the internet," Kotaro Akiyama, president of the Asahi Shimbun told media.

A website isn't all that the three papers will be sharing. They also intend on using the same printing factories and distribution networks to prevent any problems.

Sustaining strong newspaper circulation throughout Japan was behind the action. As populations dwindle in some remote areas, it is harder for these residents to access newspapers.

Hitoshi Uchiyama of the Yomiuri Shimbun said that he hopes newspapers continue to be read throughout the country. "Japanese newspapers have maintained credibility partly because the papers are sure to be delivered to homes through the distribution system," he said.

"One of the purposes of the partnership is to keep the system in mountainous, remote areas."