Japan Nexus Intelligence Proposes Joint Japan-Australia Analytical Framework to Counter Influence Operations by China and Others

Japan Nexus Intelligence (JNI), a company specializing in intelligence communications (Note 1) aimed at maintaining and developing democratic discourse through strategic information dissemination based on cutting-edge analytical technology, announced today the release of the Japanese version of its report, "Narrative Defense Against Common Threats: A Japan-Australia Intelligence-Led Approach." The report is based on joint research with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

This report, the second in a series following JNI's partnership with ASPI, acknowledges that Japan and Australia are already targets of influence operations by foreign entities, including China. It emphasizes shifting the focus from information cooperation to countermeasures and defense, advocating for the establishment of joint protocols centered around the national intelligence agencies of both countries, and the creation of a public-private collective to confront state-sponsored influence operations.

Image: Cover of the report "Narrative Defense Against Common Threats: A Japan-Australia Intelligence-Led Approach," based on joint research with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

Key Points of the Report:

Japan and Australia are already targets of foreign influence operations. Australia has steadily built an institutional framework to counter foreign interference over the past decade. While Japan's efforts are more recent, they are rapidly maturing, underpinned by the newly established National Security Intelligence Council and a focus on transparency in strategic communication.

Japan and Australia have a complementary relationship. Australia possesses a robust framework for legal systems and source identification, while Japan offers deep insights into regions including China and a unique perspective on responding to economic coercion rooted in economic security.

By strengthening Japan-Australia cooperation in combating disinformation, centered around Australia's Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and Japan's new National Intelligence Agency, common threats can be better understood, and standards for narrative tracking, source identification, and joint protocols for crisis response can be established.

Resilience in the information space cannot be solely entrusted to governments. To protect democratic societal systems, "1.5 track" forums involving private companies and civil society organizations from Japan and Australia are essential for exchanging views on information integrity. This is expected to lead to the development of effective countermeasures that reflect diverse perspectives.

The full report can be viewed at the following links:

Japanese Version:

https://j-ni.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/59fe1b4c2669fc8e2738ddd4fc1d15ff.pdf

English Version (Original):

https://www.aspi.org.au/report/from-common-threats-narrative-defence/

About the Partnership between JNI and ASPI:

In July 2025, JNI and ASPI signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint research on next-generation open-source intelligence (OSINT) methodologies and technologies, aiming to strengthen responses to state-led influence operations and the generative AI technologies that support them. This report is the second outcome of this joint research, published within the framework of this partnership.

Future Outlook:

As China intensifies its information dissemination, including influence operations, in the Indo-Pacific region, activities aimed at isolating regional partners, including Japan, by portraying them as lacking legitimacy are expected to become more diverse and sophisticated. JNI will continue to deepen its collaboration with international research institutions such as ASPI, contributing as the private sector towards the realization of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region, and promoting international efforts to preserve democracy in an era of rapid technological change by countering state-led influence operations.

Reference Materials:

Press release on the first joint research outcome following the partnership with ASPI: "Intelligence Communications Company Japan Nexus Intelligence Analyzes the Shift to 'Diplomatic Channel-Led' Chinese Information Operations Targeting Japan" (January 20, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000166765.html

Press release on the commencement of the partnership with ASPI: "Japan Nexus Intelligence and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Partner to Counter State-Led Influence Operations in the Indo-Pacific Region" (July 29, 2025) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000166765.html

About Japan Nexus Intelligence (JNI):

Japan Nexus Intelligence Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, is a company established in 2023 that specializes in intelligence and strategic communications. Leveraging cutting-edge intelligence technologies and methodologies, it provides analysis, risk assessment, and communication strategies to address "new era information risks" such as false/misinformation and influence operations spreading through social media and AI. For private companies, it offers opinion research and analysis on companies, products, services, and markets, detection and analysis of malicious information, and support for planning and executing comprehensive dissemination strategies and countermeasures. For public institutions, it provides monitoring and analysis of disinformation on specific themes, development of strategic communication plans, and research on the latest trends and related tools in cognitive and information warfare domains.

https://j-ni.com/

About the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI):

ASPI is an independent, non-partisan think tank established by the Australian government in 2001. It provides expert and timely policy recommendations to Australian and global leaders. It is widely recognized as a leading Australian voice in international discussions on strategy, defense, national security, cyber, technology, and foreign interference.

https://www.aspi.org.au/

Note 1: Intelligence Communications: An intelligence (information gathering and analysis)-led communication strategy based on cutting-edge analytical technology, aimed at countering malicious information dissemination. Based on collected and analyzed information, it promotes comprehensive communication, including crisis management and risk assessment, to suppress the spread of inaccurate information and promote the penetration of accurate information.