Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Is the concept of freedom of speech ever carried out in practice?

Have Your Say Apr. 11, 2008 - 03:11PM JST ( 12 )

Order by Time Order by Popularity

12 Comments

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BrainiacApr. 11, 2008 - 03:17PM JST

I don't think there is such a thing as absolute freedom of speech. It's an abstract concept. If I want absolute freedom of speech, I have to be prepared to accept the consequences of it. If someone doesn't like what I say, I may be sued, fired, beaten up, jailed or killed. So most likely, I end up censoring myself.

Look at this website. We get zapped by the moderators all the time, all because of their so-called rules. Why have rules at all? Especially, when they are erratically enforced. Not only that, would any reader on Japan Today post their opinion if they had to put their real name at the end of it? Of course not. So freedom of speech is forced to become anonymous.

Oh well, I'll just have to do what my late dad told me. "Brainiac, my boy, be careful what you say and who you say it to."
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smartacusApr. 11, 2008 - 03:24PM JST

JT, you do realize, don't you, that if you ask readers this question, you have to let us say whatever we like. Right?
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nikuApr. 11, 2008 - 04:34PM JST

Yes. Just depends on where you speak your mind. In Japan, there is limited freedom of speech, therefore it is not so free.
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notimpressedApr. 11, 2008 - 04:45PM JST

I think it is carrried out to some extent. But I think that the concept is not meant as an absolute. If it was absolute I would be able to walk up to the biggest scariest gang member I can find, and tell him his Mum ant S&%K C&%K for sh%# with out getting torn apart. Its to what extent the concept is intended to be taken that we need to think about. Obviously for some governments anything concerning them is out of bounds. So the concept is often practised, but more often limited by varying degrees.
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GrouchyGaijinApr. 12, 2008 - 07:53AM JST

In Canada free speech is enshrined in the preamble to the constitution, and has parameters set to it, so that if the speech is considered hateful, it should be curbed. I think that's a good balance. Courts have decided in both directions in different cases. In Japan, I think, speech is quite free, but not without its consequences. In Israel and Ireland I have seen the freedom to talk about anything, and lively debates rage on. But in America, where one is supposed to be free, just say anything out of whack with what the O'Reilly's or the Hannity's of the world see at THE truth, and you will find yourself swiftboated in a New York minute.
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HonneApr. 12, 2008 - 01:56PM JST

Of course. I tell people they look and smell like ugly gorillas or that maybe their ass is just a bit too wide for that seat.

Seriously though, that is what tact, restraint, prudency etc is for. The freedom part isn't meant to be taken literally as opposed to being dependent on context and situation. In Japan, Shako-jirei (diplomatic remarks) of which of you have Tatemae and ME, Honne are natural extensions of the whole "group harmony" aspect of the culture.

Some people however do take the freedom part literally and end up speaking their minds coming across like completely obnoxious asshats in the process.
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Loki520Apr. 12, 2008 - 06:47PM JST

Grouchy... I bet Ezra will disagree with you about the extent of Canadian Free Speech. I certainly agree with you, but it is obvious after everything that Ezra has gone, and IS going thru, that freedom of speech is no more "balanced" than it is in the U.S.
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thepossumApr. 12, 2008 - 06:50PM JST

Freedom of speech in Japan ??? Surely you jest ! It explains why the Japanese tend to "gaman" so much. They know that if they ever said exactly how or what they felt... they would be ostrecized and shunned from whatever community they were in, be it at home or at work. I personally have seen people lose their jobs for being critical of corporate business practices.

In the community, I have seen perfectly legitimate gripes go unattended to as locals focused more on the messanger than the message.

In the United States I feel that you can openly and honestly practice your legal right to freedom of speech. Granted there are amny times when you disagree with the message, but at least you have the constitutional right to express your feelings. And lets not get carried away with this freedom of speech thing. Freedom of speech is very different from slander, verbal assault, or any other statements that could be considered threatening. But for Japan... I would say the nation is a long way off from any real sort of freedom of speech. There simply are no laws that protect one who attempts to practice it. If there was, all the people that I've seen lose their jobs in my firm would have the opportunity to fight back through the judicial system.

As for honne and tatemea ? Those have nothing to do with freedom of speech. Honesty and the concept of "white lies" are nothing new to the western world. We use them much the same as Japanese do tatemae, to protect the feelings of others. Not out of malisciousness or attempts at dishonesty. Trying to declare these unique to Japanese culture and group harmony is downright silly. Sitting back and watching your company engage in illegal activities because you are afraid to say anything is a criminal act in itself... yet widely accepted in Japan.
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European1Apr. 13, 2008 - 03:43PM JST

JT is one of examples. You will see this comment will be out before someone reads. This is freedom of expression.
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kaerukaeruApr. 18, 2008 - 12:25PM JST

Certainly...all the way down the hall into solitary confinement.