[Kumamoto Earthquake] To those in the affected areas / What we can do now to prevent the spread of 'misinformation' on social media

To those affected and everyone working hard on rescue efforts

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the major earthquake centered in Kumamoto Prefecture, as well as their families and all those involved.

We understand that many of you are still facing aftershocks, anxious nights, and are being forced to live in uncomfortable evacuation conditions. We pray deeply for your safety and for the earliest possible return to a peaceful life.

We also express our deepest respect and gratitude for the tireless, sleepless efforts of the police, fire department, Self-Defense Forces, local governments, medical personnel, and volunteers who are working around the clock in dangerous conditions to conduct rescue operations, restore infrastructure, and support evacuation centers.

One of the most important things we can do from afar, so as not to hinder those fighting on the front lines, is to be mindful of 'how we handle information on social media'.

Why must we be careful about 'spreading information' on social media right now?

When a major disaster occurs, social media is flooded with warm intentions from people wanting to 'help in some way' or 'convey the situation on the ground to call for help'.

However, in the shadow of those good intentions, a phenomenon is occurring where 'misinformation (fake news)' and 'incorrect information' like the following are spreading rapidly.

• Copy-pasting and recycling 'rescue requests'

  • (e.g., 'I am buried in rubble at address XX, please help')

• Spreading information about pets or missing persons

  • (Leaking images from past disasters or information that has already been resolved or found)

• Prophecies and conspiracy theories without scientific basis

  • (e.g., 'The main quake is coming on date XX', 'It's an artificial earthquake')

• AI-generated images and footage of past damage

  • (Posts inciting fear with shocking footage unrelated to the actual damage)

While malicious posts made to gain impressions (views) are one thing, the truly terrifying reality is that rumors are amplified many times over by 'posts from regular users who retweet (share) them out of good intentions'.

The 'real harm' caused when misinformation spreads

'It would be terrible if it were true, so I'll share it just in case.'
That single-mindedness causes serious problems on the ground.

1. Genuine rescue requests get buried

   • When fake rescue requests or old SOS messages flood social media, it becomes difficult for police and fire departments to find information about 'people who are truly in need of help right now'.

2. Rescue efforts are delayed by verification work on the ground

   • By heading out to verify posts about people who have already been rescued or false addresses, limited rescue resources and time are wasted.

3. Amplifying unnecessary panic and anxiety

   • Groundless rumors, such as "another big earthquake is coming on such-and-such day," place an even heavier mental burden on victims who are already enduring anxiety in evacuation centers.

4 promises you can make starting today to protect your timeline

These are concrete actions we can take to reduce noise in the affected areas and keep information lines open to save lives.

1. Take a breath when you see "Please spread" or "SOS"

   • Avoid immediately retweeting (sharing) rescue requests you see on your timeline. First, check the "date and time of the post" and the "poster's account."

2. Report rescue requests instead of spreading them

   • If you see a truly urgent rescue request, the top priority is not to retweet it, but to report the information to the police (110), fire department (119), or official contact points of public institutions.

3. Ignore earthquake predictions and conspiracy theories that specify dates and times

   • With current science, it is impossible to pinpoint the date and time of an earthquake. Ignore all "predictions" that do not come from official announcements by the Japan Meteorological Agency or local governments.

4. Not spreading information you are not sure about is the greatest contribution

   • When you think, "I'm not sure if this information is correct," the safest and most effective support is to "wait and see (do not spread it)." Reducing the volume of information itself helps organize the timeline.

A moment of consideration at your fingertips helps the disaster area

Social media is a wonderful tool that allows us, even from far away, to stand with the affected areas and connect them to swift support.

That is precisely why, to ensure this tool does not become a "weapon" or a "source of confusion," each of us is called upon to remain calm regarding information and have the courage to stop our fingers.

Fear correctly and deliver correct information.
For the sake of the victims and rescue workers on the other side of the screen, let us also act with social media manners and responsibility.