- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,903
Government advisers have warned that unfounded rumours blaming foreign residents for crimes during disasters remain a serious risk, echoing concerns that foreign communities in Japan have raised for many years. In a recent assessment examining the likely impact of a major earthquake striking the Tokyo area, the expert panel stressed the need to curb the spread of false information on social media. Members referred to past events, noting that after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, false rumours that Koreans were looting and setting fires led to violent attacks on Korean residents nationwide.
Such concerns are not limited to the past. Lee Yoomi, who heads the nonprofit Multilingual Centre Facility in Kobe, has said there is widespread unease about how quickly misinformation could spread if a disaster were to occur under today's social conditions. Such fears have recent roots as well. During the campaign for last July's Upper House election, false claims spread online that foreign residents were illegally receiving public welfare benefits, adding to concerns about how easily misinformation can spread in uncertain times.
The increase in xenophobic posts on social media comes as Japan accepts more foreign workers to ease labour shortages. These workers are increasingly important in supporting social welfare services and the economy as the population ages and shrinks. If a major earthquake were to strike Tokyo, foreign workers would be working in many essential places, such as convenience stores that support people unable to get home and nursing facilities used as evacuation centres for those with special needs.
tcc117.jp
Such concerns are not limited to the past. Lee Yoomi, who heads the nonprofit Multilingual Centre Facility in Kobe, has said there is widespread unease about how quickly misinformation could spread if a disaster were to occur under today's social conditions. Such fears have recent roots as well. During the campaign for last July's Upper House election, false claims spread online that foreign residents were illegally receiving public welfare benefits, adding to concerns about how easily misinformation can spread in uncertain times.
The increase in xenophobic posts on social media comes as Japan accepts more foreign workers to ease labour shortages. These workers are increasingly important in supporting social welfare services and the economy as the population ages and shrinks. If a major earthquake were to strike Tokyo, foreign workers would be working in many essential places, such as convenience stores that support people unable to get home and nursing facilities used as evacuation centres for those with special needs.
通訳・翻訳・外国語ナレーション｜多言語センターFACIL | 多言語センターFACILは、76言語での通訳翻訳をはじめ、外国語ナレーションなどの制作を企画・プロデュースから提供できるNPO法人です。
多言語センターFACILは、76言語での通訳翻訳をはじめ、外国語ナレーションなどの制作を企画・プロデュースから提供できるNPO法人です。
tcc117.jp
