Core Summary
This news report highlights two concerning trends in Japan:
1. Right-wing groups are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly produce large quantities of anti-China propaganda and historically misleading content at low cost, reaching a broader audience than ever before.
2. The Japanese government is increasing its use of AI for strategic communication purposes, including engaging in what might be referred to as “info wars” related to historical issues.
These trends combined pose a threat to the distinction between fact and fiction in history, making it more difficult to combat historical revisionism. There is a need for heightened vigilance regarding the potential use of AI by the Japanese government to promote one-sided narratives.
1. AI Enables the Mass Production of Right-Wing Content
Prior to the advent of AI, creating anti-China or historically inaccurate material was time-consuming and costly, involving manual scripting, filming, and editing. However, with AI, the process has become much more efficient. Japanese media outlets have observed that platforms like CrowdWorks are being used to post tasks for producing “anti-China” YouTube videos, with AI handling most of the work—including image generation, scriptwriting, voiceover production, and video editing. The cost is minimal, allowing for the production of dozens of videos in a single day. Moreover, many content creators do not hold right-wing views; they simply produce these videos because they generate higher click-through rates and revenue. This phenomenon resembles an industrial process of generating ideological content for profit.
2. AI Expands the Reach of Right-Wing Ideas
Previously, right-wing content was largely limited to specific circles, such as politicians, right-wing organizations, and biased media outlets. However, AI has democratized the production of such content, enabling anyone with access to a computer to create and distribute it on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. As a result, misleading information can spread rapidly and globally, reaching a wide range of people, including those who may lack knowledge about the historical context.
3. AI-Generated Historical Distortions
AI’s capability to create realistic visual content makes historical distortions particularly alarming. Right-wing groups can use it to produce fake photographs and audio clips that appear authentic, potentially altering people’s understanding of events like the Nanjing Massacre or the issue of comfort women. These visual materials are more convincing than textual explanations, especially for those without a background in history. As survivors of wars pass away, videos and photographs become increasingly important sources of historical information, and fake content has the potential to replace genuine memories.
4. The Japanese Government’s Use of AI in Historical “Info Wars”
The Japanese government is investing in AI for strategic communication, including monitoring public opinion and analyzing information. While this may seem benign, there is a risk that AI could be used to create one-sided historical narratives. For example, they could use it to selectively present historical materials that favor their country’s perspective, downplay their aggression, or present history as controversial, thereby casting doubt on the truth.
5. Actions China Should Take to Stay Alert
To address these challenges, China should:
1. Closely monitor the Japanese government’s use of AI in producing historical content.
2. Examine how government funds are allocated for strategic communication purposes.
3. Keep an eye on the progression of AI from analyzing information to generating false historical materials.
4. Disseminate authentic historical materials to counter the spread of misinformation.
The goal is to ensure that the truth about history is not obscured by AI-generated lies. By taking these steps, China can stay informed and prepared to counter the impact of these trends.