VOL.204 JUNE 2025
JAPAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER [POLICY RELATED NEWS II] Japan’s Efforts to Eliminate Hate Speech

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June 18 is designated by the United Nations as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Nine years ago, in June 2016, a law known as Hate Speech Elimination Act was enforced in Japan. Public concern over hate speech, however, remains high. Efforts in Japan to eliminate hate speech have been focused on fostering the understanding that “hate speech must not be tolerated,” and on building a society that respects diversity, where everyone values the human rights and dignity of others and is able to live an active, vibrant life.

Hate Speech in Japan Today

One-sided statements and actions intended to exclude from society or harm certain people solely because they, or their ancestors, come from outside Japan are generally referred to as hate speech. Discriminatory language or behavior against people of a particular ethnic group or nationality, including street demonstrations using hate speech and harmful comments online, have been widely covered in the Japanese media since the early 2010s, drawing increasing attention as a social issue.

The Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior against Persons with Countries of Origin other than Japan (the Hate Speech Elimination Act), which was enforced in June 2016, as well as initiatives taken by the Japanese government and local authorities, have helped to reduce this type of language and actions at street protests. On social media and web-based platforms, however, hate speech remains, and has in some cases developed into a serious violation of human rights. Hate speech in the name of electoral and political campaigns has also become a problem, as this type of speech has taken on various new forms.

International Movement to Eliminate Hate Speech

Hate speech is recognized by the international community as speech that encourages violence; undermines diversity and social unity; threatens shared values; promotes racism, xenophobia, and/or misogyny; and seriously affects efforts to promote peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. Recognizing this, the U.N. released the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech in 2019. The plan identifies hate speech as “a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace” and positions the issue as a problem that threatens the whole of society. In 2021, the U.N. General Assembly declared June 18 to be the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, calls upon member states to take action to eliminate hate speech.

Efforts to Eliminate Hate Speech in Japan

Promoting awareness across society that “hate speech must not be tolerated” is important to eliminating this type of speech. In addition to reaching out to local authorities and relevant institutions to conduct human rights awareness activities focused on the human rights of foreign nationals living in Japan, the Ministry of Justice also distributes the booklet Hate Speech in Our Daily Lives and operates hotline as well as face-to-face counseling for addressing human rights issues, including the damage caused by hate speech. The Human Rights Bureau of the MoJ runs “Stop Hate Speech” ads online and on outdoor video and digital billboards in major cities across Japan, as well as disseminating information on social media regarding the need to eliminate hate speech.

For more details on Japan’s efforts to eliminate hate speech and awareness-raising videos on the subject, visit the website of the Human Rights Bureau, Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice posts advertisements on digital billboard throughout the country.

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