People found guilty of cyberbullying in Japan now face up to a year in prison under rules implemented Thursday, which were toughened up after the suicide of a reality TV star who had been trolled online.
Pink-haired professional wrestler Hana Kimura's death in 2020 prompted calls for stronger regulation of online abuse.
The revised legislation follows a passionate campaign by Kimura's mother, and now imposes fines of up to 300,000 yen or a year in prison -- increased from previous penalties of up to 10,000 yen in fines or 30 days' detention. "It's important that we work to eradicate spiteful insults that can sometimes push people to their death," he told a press conference this week.
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations has warned that the legislation does not include any explicit provision protecting political speech.
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