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AI-generated video of an elderly woman on a subway, part of a trend of AI-created content in elections [factcheck.afp.com].

Editorial illustration for AI‑generated grandma videos hit 6 million views amid Japan election test

AI Election Fakes Surge in Japan's Political Battlefield

AI‑generated grandma videos hit 6 million views amid Japan election test

3 min read

Why does a handful of computer‑crafted grandmothers suddenly matter to Japan’s lower‑house race? While the election season is supposed to be about policies and candidates, a test run in the digital sphere is already turning heads. The campaign has become a proving ground for generative‑AI tools that can splice together lifelike avatars, synthetic voices and political soundbites in minutes.

Here, the stakes aren’t just about click‑through rates; they’re about how easily a fabricated persona can slip into public discourse and be taken at face value. Yet the numbers tell a sobering story. A recent, wide‑reaching poll asked voters to separate fact from fiction, and more than half of those surveyed said they believed the false stories they’d encountered.

That level of credulity signals a vulnerability that could shape voter behavior, especially when the content spreads unchecked across platforms. The phenomenon underscores a broader concern: as AI lowers the barrier to producing persuasive misinformation, democratic processes may face an unprecedented test.

A YouTube channel featuring AI‑generated grandmothers ranting about politics racked up nearly six million views. According to Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi from the International University of Japan, 51.5 percent of respondents in a comprehensive survey believed fake news to be true—​a threat to demo.

A YouTube channel featuring AI-generated grandmothers ranting about politics racked up nearly six million views. According to Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi from the International University of Japan, 51.5 percent of respondents in a comprehensive survey believed fake news to be true--a threat to democracy. A candidate posted video footage of a large crowd at his election rally.

The AI chatbot Grok flagged it as AI-generated, even though it was authentic. This phenomenon is known as the liar's dividend: the mere existence of generative AI gives liars a convenient excuse to dismiss real evidence as fake. Donald Trump used this tactic when he claimed that authentic photos of a Harris rally were AI-manipulated ("AI'd").

Beyond Japan, primarily conservative groups are deploying AI in election campaigns--sometimes openly, sometimes not.

Six million eyes watched AI‑crafted grandmothers vent about politics. The surge has turned Japan’s lower‑house race into a live test for generative‑AI misinformation. A troubling trend.

Platforms such as YouTube and TikTok amplify content that garners clicks, creating a feedback loop that favors sensational fakes. A fabricated video pitting two party leaders against each other circulated widely, but its origins remain opaque. Professor Shinichi Yamaguchi notes that 51.5 % of survey respondents said they accepted fake news as true, a statistic that underscores a palpable threat to democratic discourse.

Yet whether these false narratives will sway actual votes is still uncertain. The ease of producing convincing deepfakes means the barrier to entry for malicious actors has dropped dramatically, but the article does not detail any concrete counter‑measures beyond reporting the phenomenon. As the election unfolds, observers will watch for signs that algorithmic reward structures are being exploited, while policymakers grapple with how to define responsibility.

In short, the data point to a growing vulnerability, though its ultimate impact on the electoral outcome remains unclear.

Further Reading

Common Questions Answered

How are generative AI tools being used to create false content during the Japan lower house election?

[mainichi.jp](https://mainichi.jp) reports that AI is being used to alter candidate photos and create false videos, such as a manipulated image of a candidate in a tank top on a snowy street that was clearly generated using AI. Another example includes a false YouTube video suggesting a political party leader was going to be exiled, which the leader himself called out as terrible misinformation.

What key points should people consider to detect false election-related information?

According to a fact-checking expert cited in the [mainichi.jp](https://mainichi.jp) article, people should carefully examine three critical aspects: the source of the information, the basis for the claim, and related contextual information. The expert emphasizes the importance of being vigilant, especially given the ease of creating sophisticated fake images with generative AI technologies.

What legal actions are being considered in response to AI-generated misinformation?

[mainichi.jp](https://mainichi.jp) reports that Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, is considering a defamation lawsuit after a false YouTube video claimed he would be sacked and exiled. This demonstrates that political leaders are taking active steps to combat the spread of AI-generated false information during the election period.