[fushihara]

I would like to know about the laws of the United States, We all have secrets that we don't want people to know. Is it illegal in the U.S. or in the West to outing someone else if you have the logic that it is a fact? I am Japanese, but I am very surprised.

Of course, accusations of public value to society are not libel in Japan. Everything is judged on a case by case basis.

[RicoElectrico]

For natural persons there's right to privacy. That's a whole different thing.

But for companies? The closest thing would be protection under trade secrets if you're an employee or business partner.

[fushihara]

As is obvious in the case of a company, it is illegal to disclose a trade secret, even if it is true, If it is judged by a court to have a positive impact on society, such as by leaking information about illegal activities, it becomes legal. I don't think this is particularly strange in Japan, but is it different in the U.S. or the West?

However, in recent years, it has become routine in Japan to identify and punish employees who have leaked wrongdoings. In the evening news this evening, a government employee leaked information about a fraud, and the elected governor identified and pressured the employee, and the employee committed suicide. Public opinion is overwhelmingly blaming the governor, but the police and other authorities show no signs of acting. Despite this current situation, anyway, it is legally true that “even the truth can be sued,” and is this different in the US or in the West?

[likeclockwork]

In the US truth is a defense to defamation.

But you're talking about extralegal harassment and intimidation committed my authorities, which happens everywhere unfortunately.