Drawing on a discussion published in the monthly magazine WiLL between geopolitical analyst Masashi Okuyama and YouTuber KAZUYA, this chapter examines China’s response to the Wuhan virus, its relationship with the WHO, its conduct around the Senkaku Islands, the divide between Japanese public opinion and mainstream media coverage of China, and propaganda efforts involving invited foreign journalists.
It asks whether influence operations exposed in Australia may also have been conducted in Japan.

July 20, 2020
Looking at China’s response to the Wuhan virus, its collusive relationship with the WHO, and its self-serving conduct around the Senkaku Islands, everyone is thinking, “The media will not say it, but China is dangerous.”
The following is taken from a discussion between geopolitical analyst Masashi Okuyama and YouTuber KAZUYA, published in the monthly magazine WiLL under the title “China’s Dark Methods That Devoured Australia.”
The introductory passage has been omitted.
The Divide Between Public Opinion and the Media
Okuyama:
Thanks to everyone’s support, the book is selling well.
Behind its success, however, there is probably a divide between the perceptions of China held by politics and the media and those held by the Japanese people.
KAZUYA:
Looking at China’s response to the Wuhan virus, its collusive relationship with the WHO, and its self-serving conduct around the Senkaku Islands, everyone is thinking, “The media will not say it, but China is dangerous.”
The book is probably selling in Japan because it appeals to those feelings deep within the public consciousness.
Okuyama:
For example, although a considerable number of Japanese citizens oppose Xi Jinping’s proposed state visit to Japan, hardly any opposition can be heard from the major media.
One might even feel that they are deliberately avoiding reporting critical of China, whether because they have already been infiltrated by China or because they are showing deference to sponsors connected with China.
KAZUYA:
The book also reveals the names of journalists who wrote flattering articles praising China after being invited on a “China tour” organized by the Xinhua News Agency.
Naturally, the Chinese side covered the cost of the tour, and the journalists were shown only the “bright” side of China, including advanced cities such as Chengdu in Sichuan Province and Shenchuan.
The Soviet Union also employed this method.
The techniques used by totalitarian states to induce foreign journalists to write propaganda apparently remain unchanged.
Okuyama:
It would be unreasonable to assume that Japan alone has not been subjected to such activities.
Japan has had a longer relationship with China than Australia has.
Professor Hamilton plans to co-author and publish a second book this autumn, a worldwide edition of Silent Invasion.
I have heard that it will also contain material about Japan.
KAZUYA:
The day may soon come when the darkness surrounding the pro-China figures we have always regarded with suspicion is exposed.
Mr. Okuyama, please translate that one as well. (Laughs)