Elections at Risk: Urgent Need to Counter Social Media Manipulation

Foreign Information Manipulation Threatens Japan’s Public Discourse

Information manipulation campaigns, once thought to bypass Japan due to language barriers, are now increasingly targeting Japanese public opinion as translation technology advances. Security experts warn that immediate countermeasures are essential to protect the integrity of Japan’s democratic processes and public discourse.

The threat became evident in late 2023 when then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced approximately ¥660 billion in aid to Ukraine. Shortly after the announcement, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake struck Japan, and social media platforms were suddenly flooded with messages suggesting that “The support should be given to the disaster-hit areas instead of Ukraine.” A subsequent Foreign Ministry investigation revealed these posts were likely disseminated by individuals with Russian connections using automated bot programs, in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to undermine Japan’s support for Ukraine.

This incident marks a significant shift in Japan’s vulnerability to foreign information operations. Historically, the Japanese language served as a natural barrier against such campaigns, but sophisticated translation technology has effectively eliminated this protection.

The problem extends beyond Japan. Last year in Romania, an unknown pro-Russian candidate unexpectedly led in presidential voting, raising suspicions that Russian interests had manipulated social media to boost the candidate’s visibility. Romanian authorities ultimately annulled the election results. When a re-election was held in May under heightened social media monitoring, a different candidate emerged victorious.

Similar tactics have been observed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, where both sides reportedly spread fabricated videos depicting alleged war crimes by the opposing forces to sway international public opinion.

More recently, during Japan’s House of Councillors election campaign, unusual viral posts were detected that security analysts believe originated from foreign entities attempting to deepen social divisions. The government has acknowledged these incidents but withheld specific details about the content, raising concerns about transparency. Critics argue a thorough investigation with publicly disclosed results is necessary to maintain trust in electoral processes.

“Information manipulation originating overseas is not always intended to directly influence election results,” explains one cybersecurity expert familiar with the matter. “Some campaigns aim to seed doubt about election integrity itself, destabilizing public confidence in democratic institutions.”

In response to these growing threats, the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have announced plans to discuss potential legislation specifically designed to prevent foreign interference in elections and related matters.

Japan could look to the European Union for guidance, as the EU has implemented legal frameworks requiring social media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation, with substantial financial penalties for non-compliance. The EU has also established specialized agencies that analyze social media algorithms to identify potential vectors for misinformation campaigns.

Digital security analysts recommend that Japan’s government and ruling parties strengthen monitoring capabilities for false information and develop more robust data analysis methods, potentially adopting successful elements of the European approach.

As translation technology continues to advance and geopolitical tensions remain high, experts warn that foreign information manipulation campaigns targeting Japan will likely increase in both frequency and sophistication. The challenge for Japanese authorities will be balancing effective countermeasures against these threats while preserving free speech and open discourse that are essential to democratic society.