About hate speech
According to an article in Weekly Friday (2024/11/19), hate speech targeting Kurdish residents of Japan is intensifying in Kawaguchi City and Warabi City, Saitama Prefecture.
Hate speech refers to speech or behavior that discriminates against or attacks people because of a particular race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other attributes. If such behavior is left unchecked, it can cause social unrest and, in the worst cases, lead to violence and tragedy.
The Utøya shooting incident in Norway (2011) is a typical example. The perpetrator, Anders Breivik, was fueled by hatred towards immigrants and Muslims, and used hate speech and bigoted ideas to justify his actions. In the United States, there have also been reports of attacks on churches and synagogues by white supremacists. This was due to the spread of hate speech online and offline, with such speech contributing to the spread of extremism and incitement to violence.
Even in Japan, discriminatory words and actions against foreign workers and specific ethnic minorities have increased in recent years. At demonstrations and rallies held by some discriminatory groups, violent language is used and scenes of inciting hostility against foreigners and specific ethnic groups can be seen. These actions create social disharmony and, in some cases, carry the risk of developing into direct violence or conflict.
Harmful effects on society
The impact of hate speech on society is extremely serious. The main disadvantages are listed below.
1.Promoting social division
Hate speech deepens conflicts between different communities and undermines the sense of social cohesion. In particular, when people belonging to minorities are exposed to discrimination and prejudice, they feel excluded and lose trust in society as a whole. This divides society and makes cooperation and harmony difficult.
2.Promoting violence
Hateful words are sometimes used to justify extreme actions. For example, people who hear statements such as “certain people are the enemies of society” may use this as an excuse to commit acts of violence. In fact, many of the incidents mentioned above occur against this background.
3.Increased psychological distress
Hate speech causes severe psychological stress on those targeted. Discriminatory remarks at work, school, and public places can cause victims to lose self-esteem and, in some cases, damage their mental health.
4.Decline in international reputation
Countries where hate speech is widespread often face criticism from the international community. For example, the United Nations and human rights organizations are taking a hard look at discriminatory practices. This can reduce a country’s international credibility and have a negative impact on its economy and diplomacy.
Measures to be implemented in Japan
Reducing hate speech and maintaining social harmony requires a multifaceted approach. Below, we propose measures that should be implemented in Japan.
1.Strengthening legal regulations
The Hate Speech Elimination Act, which came into effect in 2016, was an important step toward curbing discriminatory speech and behavior, but its deterrent effect is limited as it does not include any penalty provisions. In the future, there will be a need to establish penalties for those who commit hate speech. For example, European countries have introduced systems that impose fines and prison sentences for hate speech. Similar legislation should be considered in Japan.
2.Improving education
Education is very important to prevent discrimination and prejudice. School education should increase opportunities to learn about the importance of multicultural coexistence and respect for human rights. Additionally, in order to prevent discriminatory speech and behavior on the Internet, it is necessary to strengthen media literacy education and develop young people’s ability to judge the truth or falsehood of information.
3.Countermeasures against hate speech on the Internet
Hate speech on the internet has increased in recent years. To address this issue, platform operators could be required to promptly remove discriminatory posts. It is also effective to introduce a system that automatically detects problematic posts using AI.
4.Expansion of victim support
It is also important to ensure that victims of hate speech receive appropriate support. We should move forward with the establishment of free counseling services and institutions that provide legal assistance. Additionally, in order to create an environment where it is easy for victims to raise their voices, it is necessary to improve the number of contact points where victims can seek advice anonymously.
5.Conducting public campaigns
In order to raise awareness of discrimination and hate speech, governments and local governments could take the lead in implementing public campaigns. It is effective to use television and the Internet to spread messages such as “understanding, not hatred”.
Conclusion
Hate speech causes serious division in society and fuels violence and unrest. Eradicating it requires a multifaceted approach, including legal regulations, education, Internet countermeasures, victim support, and awareness-raising. In order for Japanese society to accept diversity and realize a harmonious society, each individual must continue to learn how to live together without prejudice.