Motivated after the suicide of a reality star who had been trolled online, the Japanese government has passed a law sentencing people found guilty of cyberbullying in Japan up to a year in prison. The rule was implemented this Thursday in wake of the increasing cyberbullying crimes, and the impact of it on the victims' mental health.
Pink-haired professional wrestler Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old cast member of the hit Netflix series “Terrace House” died by suicide in 2020.
The revised legislation is a result of a passionate campaign by the deceased’s mother, and now imposes fines of up to 300,000 yen ($2,200) or a year in prison, it is an increase from previous penalties of up to 10,000 yes in fines or 30 days of detention.
According to Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa, the beefed-up punishments are intended to make it clear that cyberbullying is also a criminal offence.
"It is our belief that it's important for us to work to eradicate spiteful insults that can push people to their deaths at times," He said in a press conference organised this Tuesday.
Though the issue of cyberbullying had been raised in Japan various times prior to Kimura's death, however, the wrestler's suicide prompted domestic and international scrutiny and put pressure on lawmakers to take action.
On the other hand, some free speech advocates and legal experts strongly opposed the new rules and have warned the government to ensure that the tougher law is not made to curb freedom of speech, and escape political criticism.
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