Overview

• The court found two anonymous Google Maps posts falsely alleged inadequate explanations and examinations before removing silver fillings and deemed the content harmful to the clinic’s reputation.
• Judges concluded the dentist’s evidence on standard patient intake procedures disproved the reviews’ claims of improper treatment.
• An Osaka High Court ruling is pending on July 25 for a separate suit where two dentists seek ¥3.3 million in damages to cover investigation costs and compensation.
• The plaintiffs spent ¥550,000 tracing the anonymous reviewer, exceeding the ¥260,000 awarded by the Osaka District Court in January and prompting their appeal.
• The Information Circulation Platform Response Law, effective April, requires major platforms to establish deletion request mechanisms, publish removal criteria and notify applicants within seven days.