In this study, we conducted a nationwide survey using the Internet to verify whether the current legal penalties for contempt have the effect of deterring slander on the Internet. We examined to what extent the maximum penalty should be raised and whether the attributes of the respondents had any influence on setting the maximum statutory penalty.

The results of the analysis are as follows. First, half or more of the respondents believed that the current legal penalties for contempt were insufficient to have a deterrent effect. Second, regarding the upper limit required to have a deterrent effect, estimated after removing abnormal values from the survey data, the average term of imprisonment proposed was about 3 years, and the average proposed fine was about 500,000 yen. Thirdly, the age of the respondents had an influence on the upper limit of proposed fines, with middleaged and older people feeling that harsher penalties are needed more than younger people.