Two leaders of a fledgling Japanese political party unveil a red logo reminiscent of Chinese Communist Party imagery. A candidate campaigns in freezing weather wearing a tank top. Grannies vent in public about what they see as political nonsense. Or do they?

Whatever the outcome of Sunday¡¯s Lower House election, the race will be remembered not least for having witnessed the full-blown debut of ¡°AI slop¡± in Japanese politics.

As more voters in Japan turn to social media for political updates and policy debates, the internet is increasingly looking like a dumping site for fake and dubious news and content.