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![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/japan-2-earth-masthead-v2.jpg\")
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(Read the editorial in Japanese<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
The operator of the social networking platform X has declined to retain communication logs for a specified period as part of measures to combat online defamation and abuse. The request was made by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to relevant service providers.<\/p>\n
Reports indicate that X formally responded in February 2026, stating that it would not implement the requested changes. It is believed to have refused on the grounds that the requested retention period exceeds its internal policies and would result in additional operational costs.<\/p>\n
Other major telecommunications carriers and social media platforms are understood to have set retention periods of three months or longer in line with the ministry’s request.<\/p>\n
Online Anonymity<\/p>\n
Social media is frequently used to spread posts that deliberately damage reputations or infringe on privacy. There have also been cases in which victims have taken their own lives.<\/p>\n
Because many of these posts are made anonymously, identifying the account holder is essential for providing relief to victims. However, if communication logs are retained for only a short period, the likelihood of successfully identifying the responsible party drops significantly.<\/p>\n
In October 2025, MIC revised its guidelines for telecommunications operators, recommending that user-related information such as communication logs for social media services be retained for “at least three to six months.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ministry also requested that industry bodies, including the Social Media Association of Japan (SMAJ), comply with the updated guidelines.<\/p>\n
Need for Accountability<\/p>\n
The Information Distribution Platform Act, which came into force in April 2025, requires social media operators to take appropriate action against harmful content, including defamatory posts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Major platforms covered by the law are required to establish clear reporting channels for victims. They must also decide within seven days of receiving a complaint whether the reported content should be removed.<\/p>\n
Separately, an amendment to the Penal Code introduced in fiscal year 2022 strengthened penalties for online defamation, including imprisonment for certain forms of online slander.<\/p>\n
At the same time, communication logs are protected under the principle of secrecy of communications. Prolonged retention inherently carries risks such as unauthorized disclosure or data leaks. For this reason, indefinite storage is problematic. However, a minimum retention period is still necessary to ensure that victims have a realistic path to redress. The government should therefore consider more binding regulatory measures, such as requiring providers to retain logs for at least three months.<\/p>\n
(Read the editorial in Japanese<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
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