September 16, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Justice announced plans to conduct a fact-finding survey on hate speech targeting specific ethnic groups or nationalities starting in fiscal year 2026. The initiative aims to assess the current situation amid the growing influence of social networking sites (SNS) and the diversification of targets, with the goal of developing new countermeasures. This comes as the Hate Speech Elimination Act, enacted in June 2016, marks its 10th anniversary in 2026.
Hate speech became a prominent issue in Japan during the 2010s, particularly through street demonstrations by certain groups targeting Korean residents in Japan (Zainichi Koreans) with discriminatory language and threats of harm. These incidents were reported across various locations and discussed in the National Diet, leading to the passage of the Act on the Promotion of Measures to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior Against Persons Originating from Outside Japan. The law establishes principles for eradicating such speech but does not impose penalties.
According to the Ministry, while street demonstrations have declined in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in hate speech on SNS and internet bulletin boards. Targets have expanded beyond Zainichi Koreans to include groups such as Kurds, who form communities in certain regions. The Ministry has requested approximately 70 million yen in its fiscal 2026 budget estimate to fund the survey, which will analyze online activities and gather insights from local governments handling victim consultations.
The 2016 Hate Speech Elimination Act was Japan’s first national legislation addressing hate speech, prompted by international obligations under the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which Japan ratified in 1995. Prior surveys by the Ministry, such as the 2016 report, identified over 1,150 hate speech-related demonstrations from 2012 to 2015, primarily targeting Koreans and Chinese amid territorial disputes and historical issues.
Recent developments show a shift to online platforms, with experts noting the need for updated monitoring due to SNS’s role in amplifying xenophobic content. In response to this announcement, social media discussions on X (formerly Twitter) reflect diverse views: some users criticize the survey as potentially overlooking discrimination against Japanese citizens, while others, including lawmakers, emphasize the need for comprehensive anti-discrimination measures and highlight the law’s origins under the previous administration. The Ministry plans to establish an expert panel by October 2025 to refine the survey methodology, ensuring it addresses evolving forms of hate speech while maintaining robust human rights protections.
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