3 days ago
Japan plans to step up defenses against outside election interference
The Japanese government is considering stepping up measures to stop other countries interfering in elections through false online information or other means.
The government says that in the Upper House election in July, some false information about political parties and candidates appears to have been spread by automated bots, possibly from overseas.
Japan's National Security Secretariat and the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office work together to handle such threats.
But some critics say Japan's system is weaker than those of Western nations. They also say the development of AI technologies is making the risk of other countries interfering in elections even greater.
The government is now considering setting up a new unit in the Cabinet Secretariat to play a central role in addressing the risk and making legal arrangements.
Officials are also studying advanced measures used in other countries to establish what needs to be done in Japan.
Digital Transformation Minister Taira Masaaki told NHK that Japan is now a target. He said elections are the foundation of democracy, and that it is important to bolster the country's defenses to prevent foreign interference through false online information.
