After a reality television star died because of being abused online and because cyberbullying has increased, Japan has decided to take action.
Online insults can now result in one year in prison in Japan. Before this new measure, the maximum punishment for the insults were less than 30 days in detention. Another penalty would be a fine of about 10,000 yen or $75.
Under the new measure the Japanese lawmakers set on Monday, the prison sentence will be greater. The fine will also increase to 300,000 yen.
Additionally, the statue of limitations on prosecution will go from one year to three years. This will include offline insults, as well.
Cyberbullying has gotten greater attention in Japan after a professional wrestler, Hana Kimura, 22, killed himself after being harassed online. Last year, the two men who had insulted him online, before his suicide, had to pay a fine of 9,000 yen.
Critics of the new legislation have stated that it can have a great impact on news media. They say it may also impact the critiques of others who are in the public eye. This is because there is no clear definition of what “insultation” exactly is.
Because of these concerns, an amendment was added that will permit the law’s impact on free speech to be analyzed in three years.
