Buraku Liberation News, September 1997 issue (N0.98)
2.The BLL Requested the Telecommunications Ministryto Cope with Discriminatory Propaganda on the Internet.
In response to increasing discriminatory propaganda in cyber space as the personal computer spreads throughout Japan, representatives of the Buraku Liberation League, led by Mr Shigeyuki Kumisaka, Secretary General, visited on July 11 the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to request that it take proper measures to cope with the growing problems.
At the meeting, the BLL pointed out the increasing tendency of human rights violations in cyber space, and requested that the ministry guide providers of web pages by making them review their bylaws and study effective measures.
The BLL, while taking into consideration of freedom of expression, also requested the ministry to review the current Law on Electrical Telecommunication Operations and to conduct administrative guidance with respect to human rights; Similar measures have been taken in the US and European countries.
The ministry expressed their concern about the frequent occurrence of human rights violations, while they explained they respect the fact that cyber space is functioning as a place to freely exchange views among people. They added that providers have been studying possible measures.
The ministry explained that from the point of view of freedom of expression and secrecy of telecommunications, they basically want to watch and see what the industry concerned would voluntarily do. In response, the BLL proposed another round of meetings, considering the ministry's insufficient policy for the protection of human rights.