[LINE Yahoo] Survey on Awareness of False/Misinformation During Flood Disasters Conducted. 1 in 5 People Encountered False/Misinformation

LINE Yahoo Corporation (hereinafter, LINE Yahoo) conducted a survey aimed at preparing for false and misinformation during flood disasters, coinciding with the flood season when risks from torrential rain and typhoons increase. The company also introduced LINE Yahoo's initiatives against false and misinformation.

<Survey Results Highlights>

20.5% Have "Heard or Seen False/Misinformation Regarding Damage Status and Evacuation Information During Flood Disasters"

20.5% of respondents had heard or seen false/misinformation related to past flood disasters (heavy rain, typhoons, etc.), which translates to about 1 in 5 people in the overall survey. Of those, 86.6% cited "social media" as the source where they encountered false/misinformation, making it the most common source. This was followed by "television" (13.4%) and "news sites" (9.3%).

Content of False/Misinformation: "Information on Damage Status" Accounts for About Half

The most common type of false/misinformation encountered by those who were exposed to it was "information on damage status (e.g., rising rivers, flooded roads, etc.)," at 51.4%. This was followed by "information on crime and public safety" (24.1%), "information on relief supplies" (22.2%), and "information on lifelines (electricity, gas, water)" (19.9%). It can be inferred that during disaster situations where confusion persists, information that incites people's anxiety tends to spread.

57.3% Responded They Are "Not Confident" in Determining the Truthfulness of False/Misinformation

Regarding the question of confidence in determining the truthfulness of false/misinformation about damage status and evacuation information, just under 60% of respondents (57.3%) answered they were "not confident" (※1). In recent times, cases of skillfully created images and videos by generative AI being spread have been confirmed, highlighting the importance of the ability to discern information. Furthermore, a survey on the amount of false/misinformation during recent flood disasters showed that over 40% (42.1%) felt it was "increasing" (※2).

※1: Total of "not very confident" (49.3%) and "not confident at all" (8.0%)

※2: Total of "feel it is increasing" (15.3%) and "feel it is somewhat increasing" (26.8%)

Sources of Flood Disaster Information: 79% Cited "Television," 53.8% Cited "Social Media"

Regarding how they obtain information about flood disaster situations, approximately 80% (79.0%) responded "television." "Social media" followed at just over 50% (53.8%), suggesting that people use television in conjunction with social media or seek real-time information. With the expansion of social media, it is crucial to verify primary sources, improve individuals' ability to calmly assess information, and establish an environment for this. LINE Yahoo's Main Initiatives Against False/Misinformation

LINE Yahoo is working to ensure the health of the information space by providing reliable information and promoting information literacy through its various services. The main initiatives are introduced below.

● Providing Reliable Information During Disasters

In the event of a large-scale disaster, information from public institutions is prioritized on the "Yahoo! JAPAN" top page and "Yahoo! News," and special pages related to disasters are set up.

● Warning Notices on Services

On "LINE OpenChat," pages detailing specific examples of posts to be wary of regarding misinformation and fraud during disasters, as well as information on reliable organizations and posting rules, are published to issue warnings.

● Collaboration with Fact-Checking Organizations

LINE Yahoo supports the activities of fact-checking organizations, which are non-profit entities that verify the truthfulness of information, through financial assistance and by distributing fact-checked articles on "Yahoo! News."

● Response to AI-Generated Content

For content created using generative AI by LINE Yahoo within each service, a label indicating that it was created by generative AI is displayed.

● Initiatives to Improve Information Literacy

LINE Yahoo supports the improvement of information discernment skills through the free provision of "GIGA Workbook," an information ethics teaching material used in schools nationwide, and "News Kenko" (News Health Check), where users can learn how to deal with fake news.

<Reference Information>

How to Deal with Information During Disasters https://news.yahoo.co.jp/pages/20240131

This page clearly explains checklists for information to be aware of during disasters and trends in false/misinformation, combined with diagrams for each pattern.

LINE Yahoo's Initiatives to Ensure the Health of the Information Space https://www.lycorp.co.jp/ja/feature/saferinternet/

This introduces LINE Yahoo's initiatives that contribute to ensuring the health of the information space, including measures against defamation and false/misinformation.

<Survey Overview>

Survey Organizer: LINE Yahoo Corporation Survey Method: Survey using the LINE Research Platform Survey Participants: Men and women aged 15 to 59 nationwide in Japan Valid Responses: 1,054 samples Survey Period: June 15, 2026 - June 17, 2026

*Numbers in tables/graphs may not sum to 100% or may appear different even with the same percentage due to rounding to the first or second decimal place.

With the mission of "WOW Our Users!," LINE Yahoo will continue to advance various initiatives to ensure users can use its services safely and securely.