Japan is taking a hard stance against cyberbullying.
Per CNN, a bill was passed by the Upper House of Japan's parliament in Tokyo making "online insults" punishable by imprisonment. This comes amid rising public concern over cyberbullying sparked by the death of Hana Kimura.
Hana, only 22 years old and a rising star in the world of professional wrestling, tragically took her own life on May 23, 2020, after being the victim of cyberbullying over an episode of the reality show "Terrace House" where she was portrayed as aggressive during a confrontation with a housemate who ruined her wrestling outfit.
The change is set to take effect later this summer with those convicted facing penalties of up to one year in jail or a fine of 300,000 yen (about $2,200). A provision was included, however, to have the bill re-examined after three years after concerns were raised about how it could impact freedom of speech.
Though insults and defamation, which are different, are both punishable under the law, Seiho Cho, a Japan-based criminal lawyer, warned that the revised law gave no classification of what constitutes an insult.
The second annual memorial show for Hana was recently held, results from which can be seen here.
