Enacted in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, the first in Tokyo

On the 25th, at the plenary session of the Edogawa Ward Assembly in Tokyo, an ordinance was passed and passed that the government will work on supporting victims and enlightening the inhabitants of the ward in order to eliminate the damage caused by the Internet.

It is the first time for a local government in Tokyo to pass or enact an ordinance on measures against hibo injuries on the Internet.

The trauma on the Internet has become a social problem, such as the performers of TV programs committing suicide.

Under these circumstances, the Liberal Democratic Party of the Edogawa Ward Assembly submitted a draft ordinance aimed at eliminating the injuries on the Internet, and it was unanimously approved and passed at the plenary session of the Ward Assembly on the 25th.

The ordinance states that the ward will work on improving the consultation system for victims and enlightening and educating the inhabitants of the ward, but that such measures must not unduly violate the freedom of expression and the rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution. is.

The ordinance is to be enforced in April, and the ward will prepare a consultation system for ward residents and promote educational activities for ward residents through school education and so on.

The ordinance for measures against hibo injuries on the Internet has already been enforced in Gunma Prefecture and Daito City, Osaka, but according to Edogawa Ward, it is the first time for a local government in Tokyo.

Measures for countries and businesses that are injured on the Internet

There have been cases in which victims have died themselves regarding the damage caused by the Internet, and the government and businesses that operate SNS are taking measures.

The government is proceeding with legislation, and in April last year, the "Revised Provider Liability Limitation Law" was enacted on the Internet, which can promptly promote the disclosure of information on people posted by people who have been victims of sickness. did.

In addition, there is a movement to strengthen the penalties for the criminal liability of the person who posted it, and the government is aiming to pass the amendment to the "insult crime" that applies to acts that insult people in the current Diet.

The penalties for insults are currently detained for less than 30 days or a fine of less than 10,000 yen, and in many cases even if you suffer a sickness on SNS, you only have to pay a fine of less than 10,000 yen. On the other hand, the revised bill introduces imprisonment and raises the upper limit of the statutory sentence to imprisonment and imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

There is also a consultation desk for victims, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, and volunteer groups of IT companies accept consultations by phone or online.

There is also a movement for businesses to take their own measures, and Yahoo !, a major IT company, has adopted a system that hides the comment field posted on the news site when AI detects it and determines that there is a problem.

On the other hand, there are voices calling for careful discussions on the laws and regulations related to sickness on the Internet, saying that "it may lead to infringement of freedom of expression."

Victim support Other local government movements

Gunma Prefecture was the first in Japan to enforce an ordinance on the support of victims of sickness on the Internet.

Gunma Prefecture has a free consultation desk for victims, and 540 consultations have been received so far.

Similar ordinances have been enforced in Daito City, Osaka, and also in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, which was passed and passed this month and will come into effect in April.

In addition to setting up a dedicated consultation desk, Shibukawa City will subsidize up to 150,000 yen for attorney's fees when requesting the removal of hibo injuries.

Furthermore, on the 24th, an ordinance was passed and passed in Osaka Prefecture that the government will work on establishing a system that can support the perpetrators in addition to supporting the victims.

Expert "The effect can be expected if the local government takes measures"

Shinichi Yamaguchi, an associate professor at the International University of Japan, who is familiar with the problem of hibo injuries on the Internet, said, "It is significant that the local government clearly states that it will comprehensively provide awareness, education, and consultation on hibo injuries at the level of the ordinance. Large. The national government is also developing legislation, but in order to deliver the measures to every corner of society, local governments that are close to the residents will take measures to create an environment where victims can easily consult, and schools. It can be expected to have the effect of facilitating enlightenment by cooperating with. "

He added, "Municipal ordinances are just one means, and there are no penalties, so this does not reduce the number of injuries or solve all the problems. That is why governments, municipalities, trade associations, the media, and so on. It is important for individuals at each level to take steps to reduce sickness. "