The Winds Are Gradually Changing
Ugaya:
That really is the honest feeling among lawyers.
In that sense, we can expect that the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Nichibenren) will never lobby lawmakers to enact an anti-SLAPP law.
Takayama:
Unless the number of lawyers who truly understand the essence of SLAPP lawsuits increases, the situation will never change.
Ugaya:
There’s a manga series titled After All, It’s Someone Else’s Problem: The Honest Work of a Certain Lawyer (published by Hakusensha) that has become very popular.
It promotes the idea that people should aggressively sue for defamation over things posted on social media.
If more people take the content of that manga seriously, we will certainly see an increase in SLAPP lawsuits.
It’s been over 20 years since the Takefuji incident I mentioned earlier.
Since then, I feel that public opinion has begun to shift gradually.
There’s now a growing awareness that "the defendant isn’t necessarily the one in the wrong just because they were sued."
Moreover, although it’s still limited, through my own humble efforts—especially through my publications—the term "SLAPP" is starting to gain recognition.
Little by little, people are beginning to understand, "Ah, this lawsuit must be a SLAPP."
Of course, it’s still not enough, but I intend to continue my steady efforts to raise awareness.
Takayama:
It feels like we’re in a situation where the magma of a litigious society is simmering just beneath the surface.
If we don’t take preventive measures now, it could lead to disaster.
I hope that through this dialogue, at least some readers will gain a better understanding of the reality and dangers of SLAPP lawsuits.
