Please if anyone could help me i’d greatly appreciate it. I’ve been dealing with someone posting photos of me online while making insane claims about me. This has been going on for like almost a year. They are also messaging my friends or followers to where my friends tell me the person is making some insane statements about me. I want this to end. Are there any lawyers I could see? Having a lawyer who can speak english since it’s a legal matter would be great. I was recommended one but they look only open on Fridays.
Also i’m in Osaka.
12 comments
Good news. Today is friday.
I’m really sorry to hear that. Do you know who is doing this? Crazy ex-boyfriend/girlfriend is always the number one candidate but regardless there is hope.
There are laws against slander in Japan and internet bullying. I hope you can find a lawyer soon!
Hope:
https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/japan-toughens-penalties-for-cyberbullying/#:~:text=Japan%20is%20cracking%20down%20on,and%20maximum%20fine%20of%20%242%2C500.
Also, if you are being harassed/stalked, have you considered consulting the police?
Is you harasser based in Japan?
See my reply on your Osaka post.
Another poster mentioned an English speaking lawyer in Osaka, contact that firm.
Posting pictures of you without consent and defamation is definitely easy to enforce.
[https://legal.coconala.com/search/result?city_id=271004&sub_category_id=219](https://legal.coconala.com/search/result?city_id=271004&sub_category_id=219)
You can look in this list and look for the ones that have 英語 対応.
This happened to me. The first step is to take everything you have to the police so they can build a file and investigate. You can then take legal action. Make sure you save and print everything.
And the golden rule. Do not react or interact with the harasser, no matter what they say or do.
Go to the prefectural police, not a city police station.
Your local bar association has a phone number where you can book a consultation. Call them, they will connect and interpreter, explain the area of law that’s needed and that you’ll need an interpreter too. They will set a consultation up. The lawyer may speak English or there may be an interpreter. First consolation is a fixed cost thing, like 5K. After that you can choose to work with this specific lawyer, or not. In any case you’d be much more knowledgeable. Do bring documentation, because lawyer love documentation.
This guy is in Osaka, speaks good English, and is very helpful online: [https://twitter.com/AtsuroTsujino](https://twitter.com/AtsuroTsujino)
I have a friend who experienced this in Korea. He gathered all the evidence like screenshots and hired a lawyer. I doubt the police would be of any help.
First, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’ve had a similar but not-so-serious situation where someone who was power harassing me at my workplace started took it outside the workplace and sending nasty messages to my husband, friends etc behind my back. It’s awful, and I feel deeply for you.
Secondly, as others have suggested, I’d take this to your police station and not a lawyer (they can probably assign you a criminal lawyer if you decide to take this to court). A lawyer would probably suggest sending a warning letter to start with and your harasser might just ignore it. But if she’s jumped in a convenience store by her local police, she has nowhere to hide. Japan recently changed its laws to prosecute online harassment more seriously but even if you decide not to press charges, I’m quite sure the process of being hauled away and detained and questioned by police will make sure she never bothers you ever again.
Good luck, and I hope you are taking care of yourself during all of this. <3