Experts Urge Japan to Counter 'Anti-Foreigner Disaster Rumors,' Propose Revising Hate Speech Law
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A study group made up of researchers, writers and lawyers focused on discriminatory rumors during disasters issued a proposal on September 18, 2026, calling for stronger countermeasures against disaster-time rumors targeting foreign nationals. According to the Mainichi Shimbun, the proposal warns that such rumors carry "a serious risk of triggering discrimination, violence and social disorder," and calls on the government to treat the issue as a key disaster-prevention and human-rights priority, disseminating accurate information swiftly. It also proposes revising the Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Hate Speech.
Kaku Kihwan, a professor of sociology at Tohoku Gakuin University and co-chair of the study group, reportedly warned that the growing foreign resident population and the rise of social media have increased the risk of rumors escalating into violence.
Current status: The specific response the government plans to take to the proposal remains unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
The Technical Intern Training Program is set to be replaced by the new Employment for Skill Development system in April 2027 (related article), and developments like this one can be seen as part of the institutional design process during that transition. Expanding acceptance also requires resolving practical issues such as broker problems in sending countries and building proper oversight systems among accepting employers. For the new system to work as intended rather than merely on paper, it will be important to continue examining how it actually operates once implemented.