Libel Law and the Press in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, loss of face is as important as loss of personal reputation, but there have not been many libel or slander suits, as compared with the United States. Monetary awards in Japan are small. The Japanese do not make a distinction between libel and slander and, in criminal libel, one could be held accountable regardless of the truth or falsity of private comments. But since World War II, there has been much effort to balance private and public interests, with much freedom going to the public side. The Japanese press, this study argues, is both powerful and relatively free to publish what it wishes.