Editorial

15:00 JST, July 5, 2025

With advances in digital technology, stalkers’ methods have become more sophisticated. Stronger measures, including legal reforms, will be needed to ensure the safety of victims and their peace of mind.

Last year, there was a record high in stalking cases detected and investigated by law enforcement as violations of the Anti-Stalking Law, reaching a total of 1,341 cases. There were also a record 2,415 restraining orders issued, such as to stop individuals from approaching a victim’s home.

The Anti-Stalking Law was enacted in 2000 after a female university student was murdered in Okegawa, Saitama Prefecture. The police, who in principle did not intervene in civil matters before the new law, began to actively address disputes........

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