社会｜ネット中傷訴訟の経済的負担 / Society | The Economic Burden of Online Defamation Lawsuits

Summary

As lawsuits regarding online defamation continue to rise, it has become clear that even when plaintiffs win, they often face significant financial burdens.

In a case brought by a father-son dental duo from Osaka, the court awarded 264,000 yen in damages. However, the costs incurred to identify the poster exceeded this amount, ultimately resulting in a substantial financial loss. The victims feel uneasy about the court’s stance, and there are calls for improvements to the judicial system moving forward.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey Log, I heard there are a lot of defamation lawsuits online lately, but even if you win, the costs are just too high!
Log: Yeah, it seems that often the investigation costs end up being higher than the compensation awarded.
Chako: That’s really frustrating… What’s going on with the courts?
Navi: It seems that there’s concern about the courts’ stance on determining compensation amounts. There’s a possibility that more victims will end up suffering in silence.
Log: In the end, it means we need to improve the judicial system.

Admin’s Note

This news made me reflect on the economic burden caused by online defamation. The harsh reality that even if one wins a lawsuit, they can still end up in the red, is very difficult for many people. I feel that there needs to be a review of the criteria used by courts to determine compensation amounts. I hope that society as a whole will engage in discussions aimed at resolving this issue so that victims can receive appropriate compensation.