Cybersecurity News: Japan To Consider New Laws After Professional Wrestler, ‘Terrace House’ Star’s Suicide

The Japanese government has pledged to accelerate discussions about cyberbullying laws in the wake of professional wrestler Hana Kimura’s suicide. Kimura, 22, a popular talent in Japan’s female wrestling scene, took her own life on Saturday in the wake of online abuse linked to her appearance on the popular reality show, “Terrace House.”

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication, announced Tuesday that she would be heading a panel that would oversee significant discussions of anti-cyberbullying legislation. This could potentially include laws that would allow for the identification of Internet users engaging in “slander and defamation.”

“It is important to improve literacy on the internet so that users won't use comments to hurt others with slander,” Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said on Monday in response to Kimura’s passing.

The online abuse directed at Kimura intensified after the airing of a “Terrace House” episode on March 31 in which she got into a heated argument with another cast member. The conflict arose after another housemate mixed their own clothes with Kimura ring-gear in the laundry, causing am confrontation that led to the wrestler knocking the cast member’s hat off.

In response to Kimura’s suicide, the most recent season of the show, “Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020,” was suspended, leaving two episodes unaired. The “Terrace House” franchise is produced by Fuji TV and released worldwide through a partnership with Netflix.

A second-generation talent, Kimura began wrestling in 2016 and rose to become a prominent fixture in Japan’s celebrated women-only promotion, World Wonder Ring Stardom. Throughout her career, she also competed in American promotions like Ring of Honor and, in 2020, became one of the first women in 18 years to compete at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s beloved “Wrestle Kingdom” event, taking part in a tag-team exhibition match.