The country has decided to strengthen the defamation law after Hannah Kimura committed suicide at the age of just 22 in 2020. Kimura, a professional wrestler, received a daily barrage of insults on social media after appearing on the popular Japanese reality show “Terrace House”, which follows three men and three women living temporarily together in a shared house in Tokyo. She received hate messages after criticizing her performance in one of the episodes. Shortly before her suicide, in May 2020, she tweeted about the hundreds of vicious messages the day she was hurt. Eventually, two people were convicted of defaming Kimura, but only fined 9,000 yen – or $ 66. The low fine, comparable to an alternative parking ticket in New York City, sparked outrage that he felt the punishment was too lenient. A photo of wrestler Hannah Kimura appears during a memorial fight for her in Tokyo.AP Her death sparked a heated debate over anonymous bullying and the extent of protection of free speech in Japan. Opponents of the change argued that the law would have an impact on freedom of speech and prevent criticism of those in power. Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online. Kimura’s mother, Kyoko, who is also a famous professional wrestler, led the charge for changing the law. Parliamentary debates on the law have been under way since January. Kimura’s mother, Kyoko Kimura, was responsible for changing the law. The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag The amended law adds a one-year prison sentence – with the possibility of forced labor – and increases fines of up to 300,000 yen ($ 2,220) for convicted offenders. It will take effect later this summer. Currently, the law only imposes a short-term penalty and fines of less than 10,000 yen ($ 74). Due to the controversy, the law was passed only after it was agreed to be reviewed by external experts every three years. Hannah Kimura’s death sparked a debate over anonymous bullying and the protection of freedom of speech in Japan. Getty Images Japanese criminal lawyer Seiho Cho has warned that the law is unclear as to what constitutes an insult. “There has to be a directive that distinguishes between what is considered an insult,” Cho told CNN. “For example, right now, even if someone calls the leader of Japan stupid, then maybe according to the revised law that could be described as an insult.” The legislation was approved by the upper house of parliament on Monday, having previously passed the lower house, the most powerful of Japan’s two-member parliament. At a news conference after parliament announced its decision, Kyoko told reporters she hoped the amendment would lead to more comprehensive legislation. “I want people to know that cyberbullying is a crime,” he told CNN. With ropes If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or have a mental health crisis and you live in New York, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five counties, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
