TOKYO: Japan is escalating its efforts to combat online abuse directed at athletes, with sports authorities issuing a stern warning to trolls. Officials are now actively monitoring social media for offensive posts.
"Even a single negative comment can cut deeply," stated Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) official Misa Chida. Athletes often avoid social media entirely to escape negativity, missing out on supportive messages.
The JOC deployed a dedicated team to monitor social media during the Milan-Cortina Olympics, utilizing both manual and AI searches in conjunction with Meta and LINE Yahoo. They requested the removal of nearly 2,000 posts, with approximately 600 successfully taken down.
The JOC plans to expand this monitoring program for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya and Aichi, with organizers promising a broader initiative to protect athletes from all participating nations.
Legal action is also playing a role. Lawyer Shun Takahashi leads a group dedicated to protecting athletes from online harassment. His team supported professional baseball player Taiki Sekine, who pursued legal action against abusers sending threats like "I hope your whole family dies in an accident."
Despite progress, challenges remain. Social media companies' definitions of offensive content do not always align with the JOC's, highlighting a gap that requires further bridging.