July 14, 2026 Publication of the Results of Survey on ICT Literacy

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) conducted the "ICT Literacy Survey" to gain insight into users' awareness of ICT literacy and the actual situation regarding the spreading of disinformation and misinformation.
　The survey results showed that among those who had spread disinformation or misinformation, 48.9% answered every question incorrectly on an ICT literacy test (*1). This figure is approximately twice the rate (24.7%) of those who had not spread such information, indicating a certain correlation between ICT literacy and the act of spreading disinformation or misinformation.
　Furthermore, when asked about their intention to “pause and think” before spreading information or news they encountered on social media, 79.2% responded that they “think they would pause and think.” Additionally, the findings suggest that merely having theoretical knowledge of cognitive biases (*2) is not sufficient; rather, having a tangible sense of experiencing them may help curb the spread of disinformation or misinformation.

• *1 ICT Literacy Test: Created based on “How to Deal with the Internet: What You Should Do to Avoid Being Deceived by Dis/Misinformation, 2nd Edition.”(https://www.soumu.go.jp/use_the_internet_wisely/special/nisegojouhou/ )
• *2 Cognitive biases: A subconscious "habit of thinking" that occurs when people process information and make judgments; for example, the tendency to believe only the information that aligns with one's own opinions, preferences, or anxieties.

Note: The published materials are available in Japanese only.

[Background of the survey]

　This survey was conducted as part of “DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION,” a public-private partnership initiative led by MIC, platform operators, telecommunications carriers, and other relevant organizations to raise awareness and improve ICT literacy on the Internet and social media. The survey aimed to assess the current state of ICT literacy - including Internet and social media users’ perceptions of their own ICT literacy and trends in the spread of disinformation and misinformation—and to use the findings to advance efforts to improve ICT literacy.

　Note: For the purposes of this survey, ICT literacy was defined as “the ability to use information and communications services appropriately”

[Key findings from the survey]

1. When people who had seen or heard disinformation or misinformation that had circulated in the past were asked whether the content was true or false, 48.4% responded that they “thought it was correct” or “probably thought it was correct.” On the other hand, among those who had been exposed to disinformation or misinformation, 20.3% had spread it through some means.
2. In the ICT literacy test, 5.6% of respondents answered all five questions correctly, while 39.5% answered all of them incorrectly. Regarding the correct answer rates by experience in spreading disinformation or misinformation, the percentage of individuals who answered all questions incorrectly among those who spread it was 48.9%, which was approximately twice the percentage of those who did not spread it (24.7%).
3. Among those who answered that they “can spot deepfakes (*3),” the percentage who answered all questions incorrectly on the ICT literacy test was significantly higher (61.5%) than among those who gave other answers.
4. 83.0% of respondents answered they considered their ICT literacy to be average or above average.
5. While taking a moment to think before posting or spreading content on social media and other platforms is considered an effective way to curb the spread of disinformation, misinformation, or other misleading content, when asked about their intention to pause and think about information or news they encounter on social media, 79.2% responded that they “think they would pause and think.”
6. 40.3% of respondents were aware of “cognitive biases,” and 46.8% felt they had them. The percentage of people who “are aware of cognitive biases” was higher among those who had experience spreading information online (66.5% among those with such experience, compared to 52.3% among those without), but the percentage of people who “feel they have cognitive biases” was higher among those without such experience (54.3% among those with experience, compared to 59.3% among those without). These findings suggest that merely having knowledge of cognitive biases is not sufficient; understanding and being aware that they can occur in oneself may lead to more careful judgment of information and a reduction in its dissemination.
7. 80.6% of respondents answered they “may be exposed to disinformation, misinformation, or other misleading content” when using the Internet or social media, while 56.4% answered they “may believe such information or be deceived by it.”
8. 65.8% of respondents answered that they were “not taking" any specific steps to improve ICT literacy. The most common reason given for not taking such steps was “not knowing how to go about it” (50.4%).

• *3 Deepfake: A portmanteau of “deep learning” and “fake,” referring to audio, image, or video content synthesized using AI technology that is characterized by being falsely presented as genuine or true, and by depicting individuals as saying or doing things they did not actually say or do.

[Overview of survey]

Survey period	From May 8, 2026, to May 13, 2026
Target area	The 47 prefectures in Japan
Attributes of survey targets	Men and women over 15 years old
The number of survey targets	5,640 people
Survey item	Users' awareness of ICT literacy and the tendency to spread disinformation or misinformation
Survey method	Internet survey

[About “DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION”] / Future Initiatives Based on Survey Results

　“DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION” was launched as a public-private partnership awareness-raising project aimed at improving ICT literacy across a wide range of age groups on the Internet and social media. Platform operators, telecommunications carriers, IT-related companies, and relevant organizations that support the project’s objectives are participating.

　Under the guiding principles of “diverse outreach and awareness-raising tailored to different generations,” “innovative service design for social media and digital services,” and “improved labeling of reliable information,” the project is promoting initiatives to further enhance ICT literacy, including the creation of educational materials, the hosting of seminars and symposiums, and public relations activities. Details of these initiatives are published on a regular basis via the project’s website. Based on the findings of this survey, MIC will continue to implement measures that contribute to improving ICT literacy, as well as awareness and education initiatives that focus on cognitive biases.

　While the Internet makes our lives more enjoyable and convenient, disinformation or misinformation, fake videos, fraudulent advertisements, and defamatory comments can sometimes prevent us from accessing accurate information or lead us astray. To make the digital space - which has become an integral part of our daily lives - a place where everyone can feel safe, MIC will work together with the companies and organizations that support our information society to build a safer information society.