With the anti-hate speech law now on the books after its passage in May, new Justice Minister Katsutoshi Kaneda said Tuesday his ministry will accelerate efforts to eliminate discrimination against people because of their race or nationality.
"We are now trying to formulate a plan on how to stop hate speech," said Kaneda in a group interview at the ministry. "This September, ministries and local governments will hold a meeting together" in the first collaborative effort to tackle the issue, he added.
The announcement comes at a time when the government and a court have already taken unprecedented steps in combating intolerance.