JJapan

House of Representatives Election: 400 China-Linked Accounts Conducted “Anti-Takaichi Campaign” Sophisticated Tactics Using Japanese-Language Posts and AI

  • February 22, 2026

Overview of the Investigation
Using analysis tools from U.S.-based Meltwater, researchers examined hashtagged posts that spread during the House of Representatives election period and searched for unnatural patterns indicative of information operations. They identified a cluster of accounts that were spreading hashtags critical of Prime Minister Takaichi in suspicious, coordinated ways. At the same time, they collected other similar hashtags that those accounts were posting during the same period. In total, 33 prime minister–critical hashtags were identified.

Among the accounts that amplified these hashtags, 394 were identified as coordinated operation accounts based on commonalities in profile information, posting patterns, connection methods, and content characteristics.

An audience analysis tool from a UK firm was also used in classifying the accounts.

Information such as account creation dates, account status (including suspensions and viewing restrictions), and connection source data was confirmed and aggregated from the overview pages of each X account.

・Chinese Footprint Behind Suspicious Posts

・The posts contained Simplified Chinese characters and phrasing typical of Mainland Chinese usage, rather than standard Japanese orthography.

・One of the main themes of the campaign was the “former Unification Church.”

・The activity was timed to target the House of Representatives election.

・More than 40% of the accounts were labeled as violating rules (banned).

by liatris4405

7 comments

  1. This isn’t just about X, and Japan isn’t the only target. All over the world, there’s a push to defend China while attacks on countries that don’t align with it are getting more intense. They seem to think no one has noticed, but it’s pretty obvious—especially when you’re in the middle of a conversation about Japanese food and someone suddenly blurts out, “But Japan is a militarist state!” At that point, it couldn’t be more transparent.

  2. cool, now do the russian and chinese accounts propping up the right-wing in japan and spreading false narratives about how foreigners are ruining the country just like they did with MAGA in the USA

  5. Noted. Anti takaichi is now anti japanese and pro tankie. Pro foreigners? Must be a tankie.

  6. The Chinese propaganda is all over reddit as well like the fake Ryukyu Independence movement. Glad it’s getting exposed.

  7. *・Chinese Footprint Behind Suspicious Posts*

    *・The posts contained Simplified Chinese characters and phrasing typical of Mainland Chinese usage, rather than standard Japanese orthography.*

    *・The activity was timed to target the House of Representatives election.*

    *・More than 40% of the accounts were labeled as violating rules (banned).*

    Well, either it was amateur hour or the Chinese Cyber-army capacity is vastly overestimated…

Comments are closed.