The bill, passed by the Japanese government on Monday, amended the country’s penal code and will enter into force this summer. According to the Japan Times, the amendment comes in response to the death of Netflix Terrance House professional wrestler and reality star Hana Kimura.
Read more: BC announces $ 100 million redress package for Japanese Canadians
Kimura, 22, committed suicide in 2020. News of her death spread nationwide, with many Japanese citizens pointing to the widespread cyberbullying and harassment Kimura received in the months leading up to her death. Violators who publish “cyberbullying” can now be punished by law with up to one year in prison or a fine of 300 300,000 (approximately $ 2,870). The story goes on under the ad Prior to this legislation, insults were still illegal, although the punishment was less, with offenders earning less than 30 days in jail and a fine of ¥ 10,000 (approximately $ 95). According to CNN, according to the Japanese penal code, insults “are defined as the public degradation of one’s social status without reference to specific events related to him or to a specific action.” Trending Stories
COVID-19: Canada will update its definition of “fully vaccinated”. Freeland says Canada’s financial reputation was in jeopardy, prompting emergency law
Insults are different from defamation in Japan, and the hallmark is that defamation must involve specific facts when another person is publicly underestimated. Defamation is also punishable under Japanese law. The extent to which an infringement will be punished under the new law has not yet been determined. Despite this, opponents of the law argued that the bill could impede freedom of speech. Many critics have questioned whether the bill would also apply to criticism of those in power, such as government officials and political leaders. For this reason, the legislation was passed with a provision that makes it necessary to re-evaluate the bill after three years in force to determine its impact, if any, on freedom of speech in Japan.
Read more: The death toll rises to 11 as a child from the missing Japanese tourist boat was declared dead
The Japan Times reported that after Kimura’s death, two men in Osaka and Fukui prefectures were fined .000 9,000 each (about $ 86) for posting insults about the celebrity online. Many Japanese citizens complained that this punishment was too light, prompting public insistence on stricter legislation. The story goes on under the ad 2:10 Google builds submarine fiber optic cable to connect Canada with Japan Previous video Next video If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In an emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance. © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.
