Social media fuel pro-Okinawa independence disinformation blitz

Xi's remarks on China's ties with Okinawa preceded spread of fake videos: experts

20240919 Shuri Castle Festival

A parade at the Shurijo Castle Festival on Kokusai-dori Street in Okinawa in 2023. The Ryukyu Kingdom once existed as an independent entity but was officially annexed by Japan in 1879 as Okinawa prefecture. (Photo by Shogo Kodama)

YUICHIRO KANEMATSU, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- A wave of misleading videos aimed at stirring up sentiment for the independence of Japan's southernmost prefecture, Okinawa, has been spreading across social media, with nearly 200 inauthentic accounts identified as key drivers, Nikkei has revealed.

Using AI tools, Nikkei uncovered a large network of disinformation accounts orchestrating the campaign. Despite the videos being falsified, they have racked up millions of engagements -- likes, reposts and shares -- on social media. Although these posts primarily target Chinese-speaking audiences, experts warn of potential future influence on Japanese public opinion.

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