Japan a target of foreign election interference online, gov't says

The Mainichi

16-07-2025

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan may be a target of disinformation by foreign actors to disrupt its elections, a government spokesman said Wednesday, as the country prepares to vote later this week in the House of Councillors race.
Responding to a question about possible election interference via social media, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki said at a regular press conference that Japan "is also becoming a target of influence operations."
According to a report by the U.S. Harvard Kennedy School, influence operations often involve using fake social media accounts, altered videos and internet memes to amplify disinformation and disrupt elections.
Aoki said the government intends to strengthen its information distribution capabilities including responding to disinformation from overseas. "It is important elections are held with voters able to make free choices based on accurate information," he said.
His remarks came a day after digital minister Masaaki Taira acknowledged there had been "some reports" of possible foreign election interference, and indicated investigations into the issue may be necessary.
While fears of foreign interference in elections are of increasing concern overseas, the issue has rarely featured in Japanese politics.
The Romanian presidential race's first round was annulled and held again in 2025 amid claims of Russian interference.