On May 9, 2024, an article co-authored by Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law and Professor Tetsuro Kobayashi of Waseda University, titled “Japan’s Accidental Resilience in the Disinformation Age” was published in The Japan Times. In this article, they point out that while false and misleading narratives online are a serious global problem, Japan’s insular media culture and aversion to political discourse on the internet have inadvertently served as a protective barrier, helping the country avoid the worst impacts of disinformation. They explain that although the language barrier plays a role, the Japanese people’s attitudes toward the internet and politics are more significant factors. The Japanese tend to be skeptical of online information, maintain relatively high trust in mainstream media, and show low levels of political interest. The professors conclude that this “accidental resilience” should not be taken for granted, and emphasize the need for more proactive measures against disinformation, such as information literacy education, to prepare for the global “narrative wars.”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/05/09/japan/japan-disinformation-age/