Japan Nexus Intelligence and UTokyo Igata Lab Host International Symposium on Cognitive Warfare

Japan Nexus Intelligence (JNI), a firm specializing in intelligence communication to maintain democratic discourse, and the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (Igata Lab) announced the successful hosting of an international symposium titled 'International Cooperation in the Era of Cognitive Warfare' on May 19.

Supported by NATO, the symposium brought together experts from the US, Europe, Australia, and South Korea, including Margus Valdre, Deputy Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence. The event addressed the threats of disinformation and influence operations, emphasizing the need for international collaboration against increasingly sophisticated cognitive warfare.

In Session 1, experts discussed the current state of cognitive warfare from Japan's perspective, highlighting organized influence operations and the importance of counter-narratives. Session 2 focused on lessons from the US, with experts stressing the importance of a 'whole-of-society' approach that includes civil society. Session 3 covered insights from NATO and IP4, emphasizing the necessity of cross-border cooperation and legal frameworks to combat foreign interference.