The Japanese government is enhancing its global communication efforts as part of a broader strategy to counter "cognitive warfare," a form of influence operation that uses propaganda and disinformation to shape perceptions through social media and other channels. This move reflects growing concerns about efforts by countries such as China and Russia to influence public opinion internationally, particularly on issues related to national security.
Cognitive warfare is increasingly recognized as a distinct domain of conflict, alongside traditional arenas such as land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Beijing and Moscow are believed to employ these tactics to deepen divisions within democratic societies and manipulate global narratives to serve their strategic interests. Japan’s response includes collaboration with leading overseas think tanks, including the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and the European Council on Foreign Relations, which hold significant sway through research, policy analysis, and public events featuring prominent scholars and former senior officials.
By partnering with these influential institutions, the Japanese government aims to broaden international understanding of its security policies, territorial disputes, and economic security measures, such as export controls. Officials note that communication delivered by foreign nationals in their native languages can be more persuasive than messages directly conveyed by Japanese government representatives.
The initiative gained formal momentum during a Cabinet meeting on September 17, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi incorporated a directive to "enhance policy communications" into the mandates given to all Cabinet ministers. This move underscores a concerted focus on preventing the dissemination of false information while amplifying accurate explanations of government positions.
The context for these efforts includes ongoing tensions with China, which in June criticized Japan’s defense buildup in a post on the social media platform X, labeling it as "neo-militarism." Japan promptly issued a rebuttal through the official account of the Cabinet’s public affairs secretary.
Overall, Japan is seeking to strengthen its global messaging framework amid an international information environment marked by strategic competition and heightened efforts to influence public discourse, particularly on matters related to national defense and regional stability.