/distances: Russia is expanding its information war by targeting democratic institutions in Japan and Canada. Moscow is actively using propaganda and disinformation to manipulate public opinion and influence politics in these countries. According to Inside Policy, both Canada and Japan have become priority targets for the Kremlin due to their G7 membership, close partnership with the U.S., and strong democratic institutions. Russia has launched a Japanese-language version of Sputnik News and is running campaigns through the Pravda News network to push the Kremlin’s agenda among Japanese audiences.
Historically, Russia has been waging an information war against Japan since the 1930s. Experts suggest that the NKVD fabricated a fake document called the “Tanaka Memorial” to sow discord between Japan and China. This tactic continues today, as Russia leverages historical grievances and territorial disputes to fuel conflicts and destabilize democratic nations. According to a statement from the FBI in September 2024, Moscow’s goal is to sow divisions in Western societies and weaken their unity.
The Kuril Islands dispute is a central element in the Kremlin’s information campaign against Japan. Moscow uses the territorial dispute to portray Tokyo as the aggressor and its own position as legitimate. This strategy mirrors the one Russia uses against Ukraine: distorting historical facts, manipulating public opinion, and justifying revisionist policies.
Canada is facing similar threats, with Russia spreading disinformation about its domestic and foreign policies, including accusations of Arctic militarization. In both cases, Russia employs the same methods: state-controlled media (RT, Sputnik, TASS), bot networks on social media, selective interpretations of history, and focusing on alliances with the U.S. to present Canada and Japan as Western puppets.
In Japan, the Pravda News network’s activities are particularly concerning. According to a report by the French agency Vsigninum, by early 2024, the network included at least 193 websites spreading Russian propaganda. These sites masquerade as legitimate, use sensational headlines, and publish articles that blur the line between facts and disinformation. According to NewsGuard, links from these sites were even embedded in Wikipedia articles to influence AI systems and shape public opinion.
One of the goals of these campaigns is to erode support for Ukraine. In early 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly echoed key Russian propaganda narratives, including claims undermining Ukraine’s legitimacy. Experts consider this a significant achievement for Russian information operations.
In response to these threats, Canada and Japan are strengthening their cooperation. This includes intelligence sharing, joint research, identifying threats, exposing disinformation, and supporting independent media. Both countries are also working with the G7 through the Rapid Response Mechanism, coordinating efforts between government bodies, experts, and civil society.
The aim of these actions is to strengthen the resilience of democracies, prevent information attacks, and undermine Russia’s ability to influence public opinion in Japan and Canada. According to Markus Kolgi, defending democracy is a collective task, and immediate action is required.
