HOME > NATIONAL > Article

Text Size

small

medium

large


Japan Parties Seek Measures against Election Disinformation

Japan Parties Seek Measures against Election Disinformation

Hiroshi Ogushi, acting leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (fourth from left), Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on the Election System (third from right), and others hold a joint press conference in Tokyo on Friday.
Hiroshi Ogushi, acting leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (fourth from left), Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on the Election System (third from right), and others hold a joint press conference in Tokyo on Friday.

   Tokyo, June 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese ruling and opposition parties on Friday asked digital platformers to take measures against disinformation, misinformation and defamation on social media ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election.
   Seven parties, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said in a statement that they also ask "voters to check the sources and authenticity of information."
   The statement emphasized that disinformation and misinformation "undermine the fairness and impartiality of elections." It suggested that the monetization system of social media is accelerating the spread of such information, while urging platform operators to continue efforts to improve their services in a bid to realize sound and fair elections.
   The parties demanded that Japanese citizens as one promote democracy and politics, by using social media properly. They also said they would consider steps such as asking candidates to submit an oath to make efforts for their own election, in response to so-called "two-horsepower" campaigns in which one candidate runs in an election in order to help another win.
   While measures against disinformation and two-horsepower elections have been considered, the parties failed to reach an agreement in time for the upcoming election for the upper chamber of parliament. The statement said that they would "continue discussions and considerations" on the matter.

To read a full story, please click here to find out how to subscribe.

NATIONAL

HEADLINES

POLITICS
Thai Constitutional Court Receives Petition to Remove PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra
ECONOMY
Japan Roadside Land Prices Rise Record 2.7%, Reflecting Inbound Resort Demand
SPORTS
Basketball: Evelyn Mawuli Joins Eneos after Receiving No Offer from Denso
OTHER
Number of Hibakusha Falls below 10,000 for 1st Time as Their Average Age Tops 86

AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


Photos