KAWASAKI BECOMES 1ST JAPAN CITY TO IMPOSE FINES VS HATE SPEECH

The Kawasaki municipal government will fully implement an anti-hate speech ordinance that includes penalties on July 1, Japan News, an affiliate of Yomiuri Shimbun, reported on July 1, 2020.

Under the ordinance, those who are found to have discriminated against people from other countries can face criminal charges and be fined up to ¥500,000 if found guilty.

While laws and ordinances against hate speech already exist in Japan, it is the first time in the country that an ordinance stipulates penalties against it.

The ordinance prohibits speech and behavior, such as using loudspeakers, in public places in the city that discriminates against people for being from a particular country or region. Once the actions are confirmed, a panel of experts will discuss whether they are discriminatory and the mayor can request that those carrying out the actions stop. If a repeat case is confirmed again within six months, the mayor orders that they stop, and, if there is a third incident, their names and addresses are made public and then a criminal complaint will be filed against them.