Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara warned about a fake YouTube video that misused footage from one of his news conferences to solicit investments in a fictitious project. He emphasized that it could cause public confusion and urged vigilance against such scams.
On January 7, 2026, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara addressed a fake video during his regular news conference. The clip, posted on YouTube, altered footage from one of his briefings using deepfake technology to promote investments in a nonexistent project.
"It could cause confusion and misunderstanding among the public and cannot be tolerated," Kihara said. He further noted, "Any claim guaranteeing a profit is fraudulent from the start." Advising caution, he added, "If you have even the slightest doubt, contact the police or relevant authorities immediately."
No financial losses have been reported so far. The video has been removed, and the uploading account suspended. Japanese authorities are treating this as a case of misinformation, highlighting the growing risks of AI-driven scams.
Kihara's alert serves as a timely reminder amid rising concerns over deepfakes, urging the public to verify suspicious offers promptly.