Ten years after Japan's Hate Speech Elimination Act, overt street hate speech has decreased, but online discrimination remains rampant. The law, lacking penalties, struggles to address the spread of hate speech and misinformation online, with concerns rising over new waves of xenophobia.
SPD leader Bärbel Bas discusses enduring personal attacks from online hate networks, particularly targeting women in politics. She also advocates for including civil servants in the statutory pension insurance and is open to raising the retirement age beyond 2031, suggesting a link to contribution years.
President Lee Jae Myung is calling for a public debate on implementing stricter measures against online hate speech and mockery, citing provocative acts by individuals linked to a far-right forum targeting a memorial for former President Roh Moo-hyun.
The Starbucks Korea 'Tank Day' controversy exemplifies how online hate memes infiltrate real life, leading to the CEO's dismissal and consumer backlash. The issue traces back to online communities' use of offensive content, sparking debates on intent and the difficulty of preventing such 'semiotic terrorism' in marketing.
Germany's Jugendschutz.net reports a surge in online sexualization, hate, and violence against minors, with over 15,000 cases in 2025, highlighting inadequate protection and the need for stricter EU regulations.
