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The Mainichi
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan to study tougher penalties amid online abuse of celebrities
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan will launch a panel of experts to study tougher penalties for defamation, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said Tuesday, amid growing awareness of personal abuse online directed at celebrities and public figures. The panel will examine whether the revised Penal Code, enacted in 2022, properly addresses abusive behavior, such as personal attacks on social media, and assess whether it places unfair restrictions on freedom of expression, Suzuki said. Discussions are set to begin as early as September, in line with a clause in the amended law requiring a review after three years. Currently, defamation can result in a prison term of up to one year, a maximum fine of 300,000 yen ($2,100), or lighter penalties including detention. Public pressure for the law grew after Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old professional wrestler and cast member of the Netflix reality show "Terrace House," reportedly died by suicide in 2020 following a barrage of hateful messages on social media. According to the Justice Ministry, fines have been imposed in about 90 cases over the three years since the law came into effect, but no instances of imprisonment or short-term detention have been confirmed during that period. The National Police Agency, meanwhile, said the number of online abuse and defamation cases increased from 52 in 2022 to 75 in 2023 and 100 in 2024. During parliamentary deliberations on the legal amendment, some lawmakers voiced concern that harsher penalties could discourage legitimate online criticism of politicians and public officials. As a result, ruling and opposition parties agreed to include a supplementary clause requiring a review after three years, with input from experts.
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan to set up new team to help foreigners as election speeches spark ‘xenophobia'
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged on Tuesday to set up a new command centre within the Cabinet Secretariat early next week to address challenges related to foreign residents in Japan , the top government spokesman said. The issue has become one of the major topics during official campaigning for the July 20 House of Councillors election, with some minor parties arguing that regulations on foreigners living in Japan should be tightened to 'protect the rights of Japanese people'. 'Realising an orderly society inclusive of foreign residents is one of the most important policy matters the government should tackle,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference, explaining Ishiba's plan. The move appears aimed at gaining public support for the government's response to controversies related to foreign residents, including allegations of misuse of the national welfare system, ahead of the key upper house election. The issues have prompted some minor conservative opposition parties to adopt xenophobic stances towards foreign residents, making remarks that could be considered hate speech and claiming that Japan's culture and the economy must be protected. Asked about stump speeches that could lead to discrimination against foreigners, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said an 'orderly coexistence between Japanese and foreign nationals is essential', adding, 'there should be no xenophobia'.
08-07-2025
- Politics
Japan to Examine Tougher Defamation Penalties
News from Japan Politics Jul 8, 2025 12:55 (JST) Tokyo, July 8 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese Justice Ministry will set up an expert panel to examine the implementation of penalties for defamation that were toughened three years ago, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said Tuesday. The panel will discuss whether the tougher penalties are effective in preventing defamatory online posts and whether they restrain freedom of expression, starting as early as September. The penalties were toughened in June 2022 under a revised Panel Code after professional wrestler Hana Kimura, then 22, committed suicide after facing relentless criticism online. At present, the crime of defamation carries a prison term of up to a year or a fine of up to 300,000 yen, tougher than less than 30 days of detention or a fine of less than 10,000 yen previously. The revised Penal Code stipulates that the implementation of the tougher penalties is examined by officials and outside experts three years after it went into force. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Asahi Shimbun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
EU urges Japan to suspend death penalty after execution
The joint statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union and other European countries (Captured from Delegation of the European Union to Japan's website) After Japan's first execution of a prisoner in almost three years, the European Union and other countries responded with a joint statement expressing regret and calling for the death penalty to be suspended. The statement, dated June 27, was signed by the delegation of the EU, the EU member states, as well as the embassies of Iceland, Norway and Switzerland in Japan. Taking a stance against the death penalty, the statement said capital punishment is 'incompatible with the inalienable right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.' It also pointed out that the death penalty 'fails to act as a deterrent to crime and makes possible miscarriages of justice irreversible.' Citing that more than two-thirds of countries around the world have either abolished or effectively suspended the death penalty, the statement urged Japan to take a 'positive first step towards its abolition' by adopting a moratorium on executions and promoting a national debate on the issue. JUSTICE MINISTER'S RESPONSE At a news conference following a Cabinet meeting on July 1, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki was asked about the joint statement. 'Whether to retain or abolish the death penalty is a critical issue at the core of each country's criminal justice system,' he said. 'While taking into account discussions occurring within international organizations and trends in other countries, it is a matter that should be independently decided by each nation, based on factors such as public sentiment, crime conditions and criminal policy,' Suzuki said. On June 27, the Justice Ministry executed Takahiro Shiraishi, a death row inmate convicted of murdering nine people in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2017. He was sentenced to death for crimes including robbery, sexual assault and murder.
The Mainichi
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Japan's new plan for visa overstays fails principle of respecting diversity
The Japanese government has formulated a "zero illegal overstay plan" to enforce the return of foreigners without visa status by strengthening measures. This move may facilitate disregard to human rights. We cannot help shake off our concerns over stricter immigration controls for foreign residents. The initiative is part of a broader public safety strategy. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki stated, "Foreigners who do not follow the rules are causing anxiety among the public." However, the basis for this claim is unclear. There is no data indicating a noticeable increase in crimes committed by foreign nationals. Introducing policies to strengthen controls regardless could potentially foster prejudice against foreigners. The pillar of the plan involves revising the refugee recognition screening. The government claims that some individuals abuse the refugee status application process to prolong their stay in Japan, as they cannot be deported while their application is under review. Based on the conditions in their home countries and other factors, cases that clearly do not qualify for refugee status will be categorized, allowing for swift conclusions. There may be instances where individuals are denied recognition through document screening alone, without hearing their circumstances. However, explaining the risks of persecution or complex personal situations through documents alone imposes a significant burden on applicants. Providing applicants the opportunity to present their case is an international norm. A situation must be avoided where, due to inadequate screening, people who should be protected are returned to their home countries and put in danger. The plan also sets a goal to double the number of deportations within three years, but there are many foreigners who cannot return to their home countries due to reasons such as having family in Japan. Setting a target solely on numbers could lead to deportations without adequate consideration, raising the risk of human rights violations. The government's Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform also suggest considering unpaid taxes, social insurance premiums and medical fees during visa assessments. Anyone can face circumstances like job loss or illness that make payments difficult. Careful consideration of individual situations is necessary. In Japan with its shrinking population, foreign nationals have become essential members of society. While the government positions the recently formulated plan as necessary for realizing a "harmonious society where everyone can live with a sense of ease," it appears to be straying from the original principle of respecting diversity.
