China's state-run media CCTV has produced and distributed a music video online today (the 2nd) that bluntly criticizes Japan.

The roughly two-minute video titled "Mask of Peace," released by CCTV, combines a Japanese song with artificial intelligence (AI)-generated animation.

The core theme of the music video is a critique of Japan's strengthening of its defense capabilities.

The video begins with scenes of a character tearing up and burning the constitution, a samurai ghost brandishing a sword emerging from a defense white paper, and the sign of Japan's newly established intelligence agency, the "National Information Agency," transforming into the "Special Higher Police"—a political police organization from the Japanese colonial period. It goes on to accuse Japan of expanding its armaments by purchasing U.S. weapons while neglecting the livelihoods of its citizens.

Scenes depicting struggling Japanese citizens and the falling value of the Japanese yen are juxtaposed with the bright expression of a figure resembling Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, accompanied by lyrics such as, "What on earth have we gained after abandoning peace?" and "Who is laughing secretly after abandoning the lives of the people?"

Chinese state media outlets have frequently produced content criticizing Japan and Prime Minister Takaichi since Sino-Japanese relations strained following Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in November of last year regarding potential intervention in a Taiwan contingency.

Experts suggest that this Japanese-language video produced by CCTV may be aimed directly at Japanese netizens to foster public opinion against Prime Minister Takaichi.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has also shown signs of countering China's public opinion and psychological warfare.

In response to criticisms from China, such as accusations of a "new militarism," Japan's Ministry of Defense has recently opened successive social media accounts for senior officials to engage in public relations and psychological warfare. It is also reported to be planning to reflect measures to strengthen responses to public opinion and psychological warfare in the "three security documents" to be revised within the year.

(Photo: Capture from CCTV social media, Yonhap News)