What it is
Hate speech means using words, images, or online media to attack, insult, or dehumanise people. It targets specific individuals or entire communities because of their race, religion, gender, background, or disabilities. This harmful behaviour makes people feel unsafe in their daily lives and creates widespread fear. Hateful content spreads rapidly on social media platforms.
When people see this language repeatedly, discrimination begins to seem normal, which can lead to unfair treatment in workplace hiring, school environments, and apartment rentals. International governments handle hate speech in very different ways. For example, Germany enforces strict legal rules and can heavily fine social media companies if they fail to remove illegal posts quickly. In contrast, Japan’s national law officially speaks out against hate speech, but it does not impose criminal fines or prison time on offenders.
Personal stories
Ayla’s story: Ayla, 20, is a university student in Germany who wears a hijab. After posting a video online about her daily life as a Muslim student, her comment section was flooded with anti-immigrant insults, violent threats, and hateful memes. The online harassment made her fear for her personal safety, forcing her to delete her social media accounts and stay home from university for several days.
Sun-woo’s story: Sun-woo, 45, is a third-generation Korean resident living in Kawasaki. For years, he and his family faced aggressive street demonstrations near their neighbourhood where nationalist groups shouted hateful slogans against foreign residents. The fear of public harassment made Sun-woo hesitate to let his children walk alone to school and back, until the city passed a local ordinance to fine offenders and stop public hate speech events.
Some broader issues
Social media algorithms and platform design: Social media companies design their platforms to keep users logged in for as long as possible. Posts that trigger anger or outrage spread much faster than neutral news stories. Although major tech platforms have rules against hate speech, automated computer programs frequently fail to identify harmful posts, especially when users rely on local slang, indirect language, or coded symbols to hide their true meaning.
Free speech versus public protection: Balancing freedom of expression with the protection of vulnerable groups creates ongoing political debate. Human rights advocates worry that strict government laws could be misused to suppress political opposition or silence peaceful protestors. On the other hand, allowing hate speech to spread freely frightens disadvantaged communities and prevents minority groups from participating safely in public life.
Real-world violence and safety risks: Online hate speech often escalates into physical violence, property destruction, and hate crimes against local residents. For instance, aggressive online campaigns targeting immigrants in eastern Germany directly led to dangerous arson attacks against emergency refugee shelters.
Political manipulation and scapegoating: Politicians and extremist groups sometimes intentionally use hateful rhetoric to gain votes and political power. They falsely blame immigrants, foreign workers, or minority communities for complex national economic problems and rising living costs, creating fear and division across society.
Hate speech laws and local responses in Japan: In Japan, hate speech frequently targets ethnic Korean residents, foreign workers, and indigenous Ainu communities. While Japan’s national law offers no criminal penalties, progressive municipalities like Kawasaki City have created local ordinances that charge financial fines to stop public hate speech demonstrations and protect minority residents.
(1) Japanese context: ヘイトスピーチとは？日本の現状や事例、各国の対応を大学教授が解説
(2) Intersectionality: オンライン学習会「ヘイトスピーチ、ヘイトクライムと複合差別」（8/30）を開催しました。
(3) Local action: The Mainichi. (20 January 2026). 1,200 people join anti-discrimination march in Kawaguchi, Saitama. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260118/p2a/00m/0na/001000c
(4) Global perspectives: UN News. (17 June 2025). ‘Hate speech is poison in the well of society,’ says Guterres. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164501
(5) Core definition: United Nations. (no date). Understanding hate speech. https://www.un.org/en/hate-speech/understanding-hate-speech/what-is-hate-speech
(1) Media scapegoating: MBN News (4 August 2025). Shocking Hate Speech by Japanese Politicians Sparks Alarm Among Koreans. (2 minutes 17 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi3SZIjLDc4
(2) Educational solutions: UNESCO. (29 September 2021). No one is born to hate: Addressing hate speech through education. (2 minutes 29 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXLvKT1U4M
(3) Legal boundaries: Amnesty International. (20 September 2021). Understanding the Limits on Freedom of Expression. (2 minutes 16 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemBh2uoCdQ
What do you find interesting, surprising, or worrying about Hate Speech issues?
What specific issue do you want to research regarding Hate Speech? Why?
What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:
Individual: Personal experiences and perspectives
Local: Situations and issues in a local community, town, or city
Organisational: Actions taken by local or regional organisations
Systemic: Law, policy, human rights, or international frameworks
Combined: A mixture of multiple angles
4. Write down your initial research questions and your next steps.