Eric Takabayashi wrote:

> Ryan Ginstrom wrote:
>
> > "Eric Takabayashi" <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote in message
> > news:41EA3A8F.AC1DFBAC@yahoo.co.jp...
> > > Ernest Schaal wrote:
> > >
> > > > Does anyone here believe NHK's professed claims that Asahi Shinbun
> > libeled
> > > > them by printing allegations that NHK bowed to political pressure in
> > > > censoring a program on the Emperor's role in war crimes?
> > > >
> > > > Didn't they profess innocence in the embezzlement scandal too?
> > >
> > > NHK admitted they bowed to the pressure at their own press conference last
> > > week, and some government official has made his own comments, so at least,
> > > accounts of influence do not seem untrue.
> >
> > Maybe those in our midst with a knowledge of Japanese law can clear this up,
> > but I believe that in Japan, damaging public statements are subject to
> > defamation (名誉毀損) laws, even if they are true. What matters is if the
> > "victim's" public standing was damaged, whether that standing was deserved
> > or not.
>
> You will recall it was Ernest the lawyer a while ago, claiming that x was not
> libel or slander if it was true.

Shuji once posted this:

http://tinyurl.com/62he2

よく理解していない様ですが、日本の法律では、真実であっても名誉毀損罪は
成立します。名誉を毀損している内容が事実か事実でないかは関係がありませ
ん。ハッキリ『その事実の有無にかかわらず』と書いてあります。事実なら罰
しないのは死者の名誉毀損だけです。

刑法第230条
   公然と事実を摘示し、人の名誉を毀損した者は、その事実の有無にかかわ
   らず、３年以下の懲役若しくは禁錮又は50万円以下の罰金に処する。
              　　
 　２ 死者の名誉を毀損した者は、虚偽の事実を摘示することによってした場合
   でなければ、罰しない。

しょうもないことは、程々にした方が良いのじゃないでしょうか。

Dave Fossett once posted this:

http://tinyurl.com/4hfcp

Are you referring to what Shuji said about the truth not being a defense for
libel or slander under Japanese law?
I had never heard this, and it surprised me. I'm no law expert, but I have a
copy of the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, which covers this
area (concerning US law).
One section states: "There is only one complete and unconditional defense to
a civil action for libel: that the facts stated are PROVABLY TRUE."
Is this what we were talking about, or have I picked up the totally wrong
end of the stick?