Disinformation and Conspiracy Narratives in the Online Media Strategy of Happy Science (Kōfuku no Kagaku)

This article examines the online media strategy of the religious group “Kōfuku no Kagaku” (Happy Science) and its political arm “Kōfuku Jitsugentō” (Happiness Realization Party) through two analyses: a quantitative analysis of the group’s news outlets and a qualitative analysis of a YouTube channel. Combining large data analysis with close reading we examine the group’s use of right-wing discourse, conspiracy narratives, pro-Russian disinformation, and anti-media rhetoric to position themselves within viral discursive networks. We argue that their media mission should be understood from historical and strategic perspectives, and discuss the compatibility of their ideology within the global right-wing media sphere.