The recent death of Hana Kimura, a bubbly, pink-haired 22-year-old wrestler and reality TV show star, has spotlighted a rise in cyber bullying in Japan and prompted swift official pledges to do more to protect victims.
FILE PHOTO: Hana Kimura competes during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling's 'Wrestle Kingdom 14' at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, January 4, 2020, in this photo taken and released by Nikkan Sports, and obtained by Reuters on June 2, 2020. Picture taken January 4, 2020. Nikkan Sports/Handout via Reuters
“People must understand where the line between constructive criticism and abuse lies,” Junko Mihara, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who is leading the party’s team on online harassment, told Reuters. Yet the legal recourse for victims - a lengthy court process to impel internet service providers to identify anonymous posters before those posters can be sued - has not changed since a law was established in 2001, before Twitter or Facebook were created.“On the internet, the balance between freedom of speech and dignity is completely skewed, with no protection in place for personal dignity,” said Daisuke Tsuda, an author of several books about online media.
Unlike the globally franchised “Big Brother” there’s no end goal or major prize and the series became known for its gentler story lines and general lack of high drama. But some critics claim it did have a darker side, particularly via a panel of celebrity watchers who provided sometimes biting commentary on the house members.
“I wanted to be loved. I’m sorry for being weak,” she wrote just hours before her death. Authorities have not formally announced the cause, but police investigators reportedly found a suicide letter at her house.Fuji TV president Ryunosuke Endo said he was sorry for not giving Kimura the “delicate and consistent” support she needed. The network has deleted several tweets linked to the current season, including one promoting the costume incident, and cancelled the rest of the current season.
Twitter said it “would like to take action as soon as possible” against online abuse, while Instagram urged customers to use its reporting tools and contact emergency services.
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