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Japan's Takaichi Battles Chinese Misinformation Campaign Ahead of Election

2/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The office of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is addressing foreign social media accounts tied to a Chinese misinformation campaign that targeted her election win.
A US research institute reported 35 accounts on X and nine on Tumblr spreading corruption allegations against Takaichi.
The campaign is part of a 327-account network aiming to influence politics in Japan and elsewhere, with Spamouflage or Dragonbridge active since 2017 in Asia-Pacific.

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Story summary

The office of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is addressing foreign social media accounts tied to a Chinese misinformation campaign that targeted her election win.
A US research institute reported 35 accounts on X and nine on Tumblr spreading corruption allegations against Takaichi.
The campaign is part of a 327-account network aiming to influence politics in Japan and elsewhere, with Spamouflage or Dragonbridge active since 2017 in Asia-Pacific.