As Japan's recent elections unfold, a surge in social media posts containing conspiracy theories has been reported, showing a significant increase from earlier periods. While it remains ambiguous who are the exact purveyors of this misinformation, the issue has gained substantial attention due to the potential influence such posts could exert over the public's voting decisions. As the authorities are grappling with this issue, concerns are mounting over the efficacy of measures to manage this trend.
In Japan, people value fairness and integrity in the electoral process. The rise in conspiracy theories using social media during elections is perceived as a threat to these values, stirring concern among citizens, politicians, and policy makers alike. This situation also presents challenges to Japan's normally stringent control of media content, leading to a discussion on the need to adjust or modify laws and regulations.
In the US or EU, similar concerns over the influence of conspiracy theories and misinformation are also prevalent, especially during elections. While steps have been taken, such as fact-checking and warnings labels on social media platforms, the issue remains a hot topic of discussion among policymakers, with efforts ongoing to find more effective methods of combatting such misinformation.