Japanese government officials are calling for action against cyberbullying, amid a national outpouring of grief after the apparent suicide of professional wrestler and reality television star Hana Kimura. However, some warn that the crackdown could also chill rising internet activism.

Kimura starred in the latest season of the Netflix reality show “Terrace House”. While the show gained international renown for its more gentle approach to the traditional reality show format, cast members received online abuse from fans. Kimura’s loud, outspoken personality and untraditional occupation made her a target of especially harsh attacks. In the weeks leading up to her death, anonymous posters on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook attacked her appearance, her outspoken behaviour, calling her a „gorilla” and asking her to „please disappear”.
Kimura’s death sent shockwaves through Japan and provoked calls for action against online bullying. Japanese authorities have been wrestling for decades with how to police online speech. The current legislation to protect victims of online hate is nearly 20 years old. In the wake of the 22 year old reality star’s death, officials pledged to step up efforts on creating more effective protection to victims of online abuse.
Japan's Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication, Sanae Takaichi, pledged to speed up government discussions around cyberbullying legislation. Takaichi would head a government panel to discuss whether internet users could be identified if their posts included "slander and defamation," she said.
A coalition of online platforms including Facebook, Twitter and popular Japanese chat app Line put out a statement saying that they would move swiftly to reduce personal attacks on their platforms, floating the possibility of blanket bans on users who intentionally demean others.
However, the question of tightening regulation poses a dilemma to the opposition parties and people on the left. They point out the importance and power of free online speech to hold the government accountable in a country with a weak political opposition and worry that government regulation could stymie this power.


Authors: Ben Dooley and Hikari Hida (New York Times); Jessie Yeung and Yoko Wakatsuki (CNN)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/business/hana-kimura-terrace-house.html  

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/26/asia/hana-kimura-death-terrace-house-intl-hnk-scli/index.html