79: What does QAnon mean for Japan? w/ Max Zimmerman

On Jan. 6, the U.S. Capitol came under siege from a mob of Trump supporters, incited by the former president. The attack was condemned around the world and shone a spotlight onto the dangerous misinformation and conspiracies that fueled the riots.

One that has come under particular scrutiny is QAnon, a conspiracy that dates to 2017 and that has picked up a significant following in the U.S. But, says Bloomberg’s Max Zimmerman, the U.S. is not the only country to have supporters of the QAnon conspiracy, and a fringe group of followers has also developed here in Japan.

Sponsor:

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Read/see more:

• QAnon’s Rise in Japan Shows Conspiracy Theory’s Global Spread • (Max Zimmerman, Bloomberg)

• What drives ‘J-Anon,’ QAnon's Japanese counterpart? • (Nevin Thompson, Global Voices)

• Pro-Trump rallies in Tokyo • (Jeffrey J. Hall via Twitter)

• Trump supporters rally in Tokyo against Biden's inauguration • (Reuters via The Japan Times)

• QAnon's 'Great Awakening' failed to materialize. What's next could be worse • (Julia Carrie Wong, The Guardian)

On this episode:

Max Zimmerman: Twitter | Articles

Oscar Boyd: Twitter | Articles | Instagram

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Photo: Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump hold a rally in Tokyo ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden in Washington. | REUTERS