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| Harmless Idol Clip Twisted into Political Message on Foreign Social Media (Photo: Sponichi) |
A Japanese idol has unexpectedly found herself caught in an online political storm after a harmless Christmas video was altered and spread on Chinese social media with completely false subtitles. Miyu Kishi, a 24-year-old member of idol group #BABABABAMBI, originally shared the clip late last year simply chatting about Christmas.
However, the video later resurfaced overseas with added Chinese captions claiming she said she “wanted the Ryukyu Islands to be returned soon” — something she never said at any point.
The Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, remain a sensitive topic in regional discussions.
In recent months, several Japanese videos have reportedly been reposted on Chinese platforms with manipulated subtitles, making it appear as though ordinary Japanese citizens are expressing political opinions or territorial claims.
【悪質】日本人アイドル動画に“琉球返還”訴える字幕が…中国SNSに相次ぐ“悪質デマ投稿”…
— にゃこなす🍆🐈⬛ (@33chokemaru) December 25, 2025
TikTokで約56万人のフォロワーがいるアイドルの岸みゆさんの投稿が“悪用”された動画には「琉球が早く返還されてほしい」との字幕が…
中国メディア
「1879年、日本は琉球を強制的に併合した」
中国外務省… pic.twitter.com/vBSwTO1p7r
According to Japanese television reports, Miyu Kishi’s agency firmly denied the claims, stating that she made no such remarks and expressing shock that her content was reused in this way. What was meant to be a festive, seasonal post was instead reshaped into a completely unrelated narrative.
The issue goes beyond one idol.
Other Japanese creators have also been affected, including an aspiring artist living in Japan whose walking videos were reposted with subtitles claiming she was “from Ryukyu” and “not Japanese”.
In reality, she was born and raised in Saitama and had no idea her videos were circulating overseas.
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She later admitted that not being able to read the captions made the situation even more unsettling. Seeing her face attached to statements she never made — and receiving large numbers of likes — left her confused and anxious.
The growing trend was discussed on a Japanese information programme, where former idol Sayuri Matsumura openly shared her concern.
She pointed out that most Japanese creators don’t regularly check foreign platforms, meaning many may never realise their videos are being altered and shared without consent.
Former Nogizaka46 idol Matsumura Sayuri on Prime Minister Takaichi's popularity among young people:
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) December 22, 2025
•she is "positive" and uses "words that are easy-to-understand"
•her diplomacy is "proactive" (she hugged Meloni)
•"you can see she’s working hard"pic.twitter.com/WALOykxUfH
Even the show’s hosts appeared baffled by the situation. A cheerful Christmas clip, they noted, had somehow been repackaged into a message about territorial issues — a mismatch so obvious it left viewers stunned.
While Japanese authorities have declined to comment on individual cases circulating on Chinese platforms, the incidents highlight how easily online content can be reshaped once it crosses borders, especially when language barriers are involved.
For idols and everyday creators alike, the concern isn’t just about image control. It’s the fear of not knowing what version of yourself is being shown elsewhere online, and what message it might be pushing without your knowledge.