(Asahi: January 14, 2016 – p. 36)

 The Osaka Municipal Assembly is expected to adopt and pass on Jan. 15 Japan’s first ordinance aimed at preventing hate speech [against racial and ethnic minorities in the city]. Once the city’s screening committee determines that an organization or person has committed hate speech, the name of that organization or person will be disclosed. Since no progress has been made on concrete deliberations on a bill banning hate speech at the Diet, Osaka City, which has many Korean residents, will demonstrate its strong stance on eradicating hate speech.

 The ordinance defines hate speech as slanderous remarks directed at a specific nationality or an individual of a specific race for the purpose of alienating them from society and fueling hate and discrimination. The screening committee composed of university professors and lawyers will examine remarks after receiving complaints from victims. Based on the results of the examination, Osaka City, after determining that the remarks are hate speech, will post on its website the content of the hate speech and the names of the organization or person that committed it. (Abridged)