Law Enforcement in Japan Considering Issuance of Stalking Alerts Without Initial Complaints from Affected Parties
In recent years, the use of loss prevention tags in suspected stalking cases has seen a significant increase, with 370 cases consulted by police in 2024 - more than double the previous year's level. This trend has highlighted the need for stronger regulations, and the National Police Agency of Japan is now considering revisions to the law.
Currently, under the law against stalking, police station chiefs can only issue warnings to stalkers if requested by victims. However, victims may hesitate to request warnings due to fear of retaliation or may withdraw requests following a temporary improvement in relationships with offenders. The proposed law revisions aim to address this issue by providing a means to issue warnings to stalkers without the need for a request from victims.
The proposed changes would give police the discretion to issue warnings against stalkers, even without requests from victims. This would allow for more proactive measures to be taken, potentially preventing further incidents of stalking.
The authorities responsible for overseeing these revisions are primarily judicial bodies such as higher courts and legal oversight institutions ensuring compliance with the legal framework. Revisions are typically reviewed by higher courts such as state supreme courts and the Federal Court of Justice.
One concern with the use of loss prevention tags is that they can be used to track individuals without their consent. The National Police Agency is also considering strengthening regulations on these devices to prevent their misuse.
The stricter administrative measure of a prohibition order can be taken with approval from a public safety commission. However, the process of collecting evidence can delay the implementation of a prohibition order. The proposed law revisions aim to streamline this process, making it easier and quicker to protect victims from stalkers.
The National Police Agency is addressing the issue of stalking involving loss prevention tags, and these proposed changes are a significant step towards strengthening protections for victims and ensuring that stalkers are held accountable for their actions.
