A person has been charged over on-line abuse directed at a Japanese star of Netflix actuality present Terrace House (2012 to 2020) who took her personal life final 12 months, prosecutors mentioned on Tuesday (March 30).
A spokesman for Tokyo Prosecutors’ Office advised AFP that they had made a “summary indictment against a man in his 20s” following the May 2020 demise of Hana Kimura, a forged member of the internationally well-liked TV present. She was 22.
Police referred the person, who has not been named, to prosecutors in December, saying: “The suspect… posted messages on a social media account of the sufferer, together with ‘You have such an awful personality. Is your life worth living?’ and ‘Hey, hey. When will you die?’”
The man has been charged with making public insults but is not obliged to face trial under the indictment, as is often the case for relatively minor offences in Japan.
Local media said a Tokyo court had issued an order to fine him 9,000 yen (S$110).
Kimura, a confident pink-haired professional wrestler, was a fan favourite on the Japanese show Terrace House, in which six young people share a home while looking for love.
But she was targeted by a torrent of abuse online, reportedly including comments such as “everyone will be happy if you’re gone”.
The present was cancelled after Kimura’s demise, which made worldwide headlines and led Japanese ministers and lawmakers to maneuver to sort out cyberbullying.
Tuesday’s indictment prompted issues from some on Twitter that the punishment was too mild.
“If he can get away with 9,000 yen, I’m worried that the number of cyberbullies will increase,” wrote one consumer, whereas one other mentioned: “It’s extremely wrong. There is no justice.”
