Yusuke Ishikawa commented on foreign interference in Japanese election for Japan Times

2025.07.18

Yusuke Ishikawa, Research Fellow, commented on foreign interference in Japanese election in a Japan Times article titled “Concerns grow in Japan over possible Russian interference in Sunday’s election,” published on July 18, 2025.

“Just because there is a possibility of information manipulation from abroad, I don’t think we need to overestimate the effects of it,” said Ishikawa. “In fact, there have been recent studies that warn that it is better not to overestimate it.”

“That said, it is important to be aware of the threat of disinformation, which often crops up during times of uncertainties such as elections or even natural disasters, he said.”

“As for future measures, fact-checking and media literacy are important, and it is also necessary to consider what legal measures can be taken, but I think it is important to consider measures from multiple perspectives rather than relying on these alone,” said Ishikawa.