As Japan approaches its upper house election scheduled for July 20, government officials have raised concerns about foreign interference, particularly through social media disinformation campaigns. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki acknowledged that Japan is a target of foreign influence operations and emphasized coordinated efforts among relevant agencies to ensure election integrity. Opposition figures, including Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the center-right Democratic Party for the People, have accused Russia of meddling in the election, citing attempts to distract voters from domestic issues and to pressure rising political parties. Meanwhile, a populist right-wing party gaining popularity has denied any connections to Russia despite one of its candidates giving an interview to Moscow state media. The government also warned about foreign bots aiming to sow discord online ahead of the vote. In a related development, Aoki expressed regret over a recent guilty verdict against a Japanese national in China and urged Chinese authorities for the detainee's early release and humane treatment. The election context is further complicated by debates over nationalist policies, with some opposition leaders criticizing the "Japanese First" stance advocated by smaller right-wing parties, highlighting the importance of foreign residents to Japan's economy.