The Osaka Municipal Assembly voted Wednesday to postpone a decision on whether to adopt Japan's first municipal ordinance banning hate speech until at least autumn.

Instead, the city council released a nonbinding statement similar to what over 100 local governments have issued.

"In recent years, hate speech directed at foreigners in Japan with a specific nationality has taken place, creating concern about human rights problems involving foreigners. In the streets of Osaka as well, demonstrations involving hate speech have frequently occurred," said the statement, which was addressed to the central government.