Chinese-Linked Network of 3,000 Accounts Spreads Disinformation About Japanese Election

A coordinated network of approximately 3,000 Chinese-linked social media accounts has been detected spreading disinformation about Japan’s upcoming general election, according to cybersecurity experts monitoring digital threats in the region.

The operation appears designed to sow discord and influence Japanese voters ahead of the October 27 parliamentary elections, with accounts systematically amplifying false claims and divisive content across multiple platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Line.

Security analysts identified the network after noticing unusual patterns of activity targeting Japanese-language political discussions. The accounts, many created within the past three months, display hallmarks of a coordinated influence operation, including synchronized posting times, shared narrative themes, and suspicious profile characteristics.

“We’re seeing sophisticated tactics that go beyond previous disinformation campaigns in the region,” said Keiko Tanaka, a Tokyo-based cybersecurity researcher who has been tracking the operation. “These accounts are not just sharing propaganda but are strategically engaging with legitimate Japanese users to amplify their reach.”

The disinformation primarily focuses on contentious domestic issues including nuclear policy, defense spending, and economic relations with China. Many posts falsely attribute statements to Japanese political candidates or promote fabricated polling data designed to influence voter perception.

This campaign emerges amid heightened geopolitical tensions between China and Japan, particularly regarding territorial disputes in the East China Sea and Japan’s deepening security alliance with the United States. The timing is especially sensitive as Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party faces its most competitive election in recent years following leadership changes.

Japanese government officials have acknowledged awareness of the operation. The National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) released a statement confirming they are “actively monitoring foreign attempts to interfere with democratic processes” and coordinating with social media platforms to address the issue.

Social media companies have begun removing accounts identified as part of the network. A spokesperson for Meta, Facebook’s parent company, confirmed that several hundred accounts had been removed for “coordinated inauthentic behavior” targeting Japanese political discourse. Similar actions have been taken by other platforms, though new accounts continue to appear.

Digital disinformation experts note that this campaign represents an escalation in sophistication compared to previous influence operations in East Asia. The accounts employ advanced techniques including AI-generated profile images, localized cultural references, and strategic engagement with authentic Japanese users to build credibility.

“What makes this operation concerning is how it blends into normal social media conversation,” explained Dr. Hiroshi Yamamoto from Tokyo University’s Center for Cybersecurity Studies. “The accounts don’t just broadcast propaganda—they engage in conversations, share non-political content, and gradually introduce disinformation, making it harder for average users to identify them as inauthentic.”

The campaign also appears to target Japan’s younger voters, who increasingly rely on social media for political information. Recent surveys indicate that nearly 65% of Japanese voters under 30 cite social media as their primary news source for political content.

This is not the first time Japan has faced foreign disinformation campaigns. In 2021, researchers identified smaller-scale operations ahead of Tokyo’s metropolitan elections. However, the current campaign’s scale and sophistication mark a significant escalation.

International cybersecurity firms have joined Japanese authorities in monitoring the situation. “This appears to be part of a broader trend of state-aligned actors using social media to influence democratic processes globally,” said Marcus Chen, an analyst at Pacific Rim Security Associates. “The techniques being deployed in Japan mirror those we’ve seen targeting elections in other democracies.”

Japanese officials have urged voters to verify information through multiple sources and remain skeptical of inflammatory political content encountered online. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has launched an emergency public awareness campaign on media literacy.

As Japan enters the final weeks before the election, authorities are concerned the disinformation efforts may intensify. Election officials have established a rapid response team to address false information about voting procedures or results that might emerge on election day.