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Japan toughens defamation penalties after wrestler’s suicide

Japan’s lawmakers approve tougher penalties for criminal defamation at the upper house in Tokyo Monday, June 13, 2022. The amended law will be formally enacted later this year. (Kyodo News via AP)

A picture of wrestler Hana Kimura is on display during a memorial wrestling match in Tokyo May 23, 2022. Japan’s parliament approved tougher penalties for criminal defamation Monday, June 13, 2022 in a move prompted by the bullied wrestler's suicide and that is raising free speech concerns. Parliamentary deliberations on toughening the defamation law began in January after Hana Kimura took her own life at 22. (Kyodo News via AP)

Kyoko Kimura wears a T-shirt with an image of her daughter and wrestler Hana at a press club in Tokyo on May 19, 2021. Japan’s parliament approved tougher penalties for criminal defamation Monday, June 13, 2022 in a move prompted by the bullied wrestler's suicide and that is raising free speech concerns. Parliamentary deliberations on toughening the defamation law began in January after Hana Kimura took her own life at 22. (Shohei Miyano/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan toughens defamation penalties after wrestler’s suicide