Best Answer:
Many Japanese TV programs have subtitles if the Japanese spoken in the program deviates from standard, accepted, modern Japanese (hyojun-go). Hyojun-go Japanese would be what you would hear news anchors speaking.
The type of tv program that immediately comes to mind that often use subtitles are game shows and what the Japanese call variety tv shows. These shows often rely heavily on the use of the latest most trendy way of speaking Japanese (slang), pet names, and the like for comedic effect. Since Japan has a very quick turnover when it comes to trends, the slang being used changes just as fast. Without the use of subtitles, even Japanese natives sometimes would not be able to grasp what is said just due to unfamiliarity with the most trendy/current slang.
Other uses for subtitles occur when a non-native speaker is using Japanese, or sometimes in historical dramas which use old/ancient Japanese. Again, it's to aid compprehension for when the spoken Japanese deviates from the standard hyojun-go Japanese.
Source(s):
Japanese native
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