Editor's note: Lyu Yaodong, a special commentator for CGTN, is a professor at the School of Global and Regional Studies under the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Du Shaoshu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a student at the School of Global and Regional Studies under the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's oldest newspapers, recently exposed a gray industry chain that is using artificial intelligence (AI) to mass-produce anti-China disinformation videos. Some Japanese bloggers are creating sensational content based on fabricated scenarios such as "Chinese people causing disturbances in Japan," profiting from the platform traffic. Their recruitment openly requires "antipathy toward China."

On the surface, it appears that a handful of online bloggers are crossing ethical lines to chase profit. In reality, it is a combined reflection of Japan's deteriorating cognitive environment regarding China, its political rightward shift, and the abuse of digital technology. Anti-China narratives have evolved from the theatrics of individual politicians and the sensationalism of the right-wing media into tangible harm spreading in a low-cost, mass-produced and industrialized manner aided by AI tools.

The danger of AI-generated anti-China disinformation videos lies not only in their false content, but more importantly, in the way they enter public perception under the guise of "reality," activate existing prejudices wrapped as "news," and continuously replicate hatred driven by the logic of "traffic."

The creators do not need to conduct interviews or verify facts, nor do they even need to engage with reality. Relying solely on prejudice and preconceived positions, they can use AI to generate visuals, voice-overs, subtitles and even complete storylines. The lowering of technological barriers means the cost of spreading rumors has plummeted, while increased dissemination efficiency further magnifies the risks faced by knowledge-based confrontation. Once so-called AI-generated content is disguised as news or social observations, it is essentially a malicious manipulation of the audience's cognition.

This phenomenon is by no means an isolated online disorder. It is closely linked to Japan's political rightward shift and the intensification of a securitized narrative toward China. In recent years, some Japanese politicians have continuously sent wrong signals on issues concerning China, historical understanding and security, hyping the "China threat" and stoking confrontation.

The erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question by the far-right forces led by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have severely challenged the one-China principle and the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations, providing a breeding ground for anti-China narratives within Japanese society. In such a public opinion environment, online anti-China content is no longer merely "marginal voices"; it is hyped and packaged as public opinion calling for "vigilance against China" or "protecting Japan," and then continuously spread through various platforms.

Even more alarming is that this cognitive manipulation is, in turn, shaping the political agenda. As disinformation videos gain scale on social platforms, anti-China sentiment among the public is constantly amplified, squeezing the space for a rational foreign policy.

Viewed from a historical perspective, this method of shaping the perception of others through information manipulation is nothing new. Before World War II (WWII), Japanese militarist forces long fabricated external enemies, stoked nationalist fervor and manipulated social cognition to package aggression and expansion as "self-defense" and "justice." Although today's Japan cannot be simplistically equated with its pre-WWII self, when the political rightward shift, xenophobia, media bias and commercial interests are considered, the dangerous logic at play deserves high vigilance.

History never simply repeats itself, it appears in similar patterns by donning new technologies, platforms and narratives, accumulating social hostility through seemingly fragmented online communications.

China and Japan are close neighbors separated only by a strip of water. The more complex and sensitive their relations become, the more they need to be underpinned by truthful, rational and objective societal perceptions. Any act that stigmatizes China, demonizes the Chinese people, or pushes public opinion in both countries toward confrontation will not bring Japan any "sense of security"; it will only create deeper distrust, squeeze the space for the development of bilateral relations and ultimately backfire on Japan's own international image and moral credibility.

Technology should not be an amplifier of hatred; platforms should not become breeding grounds for rumors; and politics should not serve as a sanctuary for prejudice. The healthy and stable development of Sino-Japanese relations and peace and development in the Asia-Pacific require truth, goodwill and reason, not incitement and hatred. If Japanese society fails to face squarely and correct this AI-driven anti-China disinformation video industry chain, what will be harmed is Japan's own credibility and future.

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