Tackling Global Disinformation
On February 14, 2024, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law participated in “Tackling Global Disinformation,” an event organized by Nikkei Asia. The event discussed the threat of disinformation and how the international community can counter it. Professor Ichihara presented three key lessons regarding the spread of disinformation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. First, she emphasized the importance of looking at the broader narrative that disinformation seeks to promote. Second, she cautioned against focusing too narrowly on the disinformation itself. Third, she emphasized the critical need to understand divisions within one’s society and work to build trust between different groups. In addition, she discussed the lessons learned from China’s spread of disinformation about the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. She pointed out that creating effective counter-narratives can protect our society. Therefore, she emphasized the need for private sector actors in particular to be willing to actively create and promote positive narratives.
