Insulting someone online could now land you in jail for a year in Japan

New penalties for public abuse as part of a revised law came into effect Thursday, allowing fines of up to 300,000 yen (RM9,763) from the previous 10,000 yen (RM325) and jail sentences of up to 12 months compared with 29 days previously. — 123rf.com

Cyberbullies in Japan could now face up to a year in prison, as the government cracks down on online abuse following the suicide of a 22-year-old professional wrestler and reality TV star who was hounded on social media.

New penalties for public abuse as part of a revised law came into effect Thursday, allowing fines of up to 300,000 yen (RM9,763) from the previous 10,000 yen (RM325) and jail sentences of up to 12 months compared with 29 days previously.