Hate Speech in Japan

The Possibility of a Non-Regulatory Approach

Shinji Higaki, Yuji Nasu

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781108483995
• eBook ISBN: 9781108662444
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Law Theory & Practice
• Index: Law

This book explains the past and present status of hate speech regulations in Japan. The United States and European countries have adopted different approaches to resolve their respective hate speech problems. Both of them, however, continue to confront the dilemma that freedom of speech and anti-racism are fundamental values of human rights. Therefore, some scholars criticize the US approach as too protective of freedom of speech, while other scholars criticize the European approach as impermissibly violating that freedom. Compared to these countries, Japan is unique in that it does not criminalize hate speech and hate crime other than in the recently enacted Kawasaki City Ordinance criminalizing some kinds of hate speech. Japan basically relies on a comprehensive set of non-regulative tools to suppress extreme hate speech. This volume analyses Japanese hate speech laws and suggests a unique distinctive model to strike a balance between both core values of democracy.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Contributors
• Acknowledgements
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Part I Outline
• Part II History
• Part III Legal Framework
• Part IV Cases
• Part V Multidisciplinary Debates
• Part VI Current Issues
• Appendix A A Chronology of Events and Legislation Related to Hate Speech in Japan
• Appendix B Lists of Japanese Acts, Bills, Ordinances, and Other Materials
• Index