Politics · Japan · 3 hrs ago
Japan to examine GPS tracking and treatment for stalking offenders
Japanese police will set up an expert panel to consider new ways to protect stalking victims.
The panel will discuss requiring some offenders to wear GPS devices, as well as counselling and treatment.
The devices could alert victims when offenders approach, while the panel will also consider concerns about offenders’ human rights.
The review follows a fatal stabbing in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district in March, despite the suspect having received a restraining order.
Japan recorded 22,881 stalking consultations in 2025, and 3,037 restraining orders, the highest total since the current law took effect in 2000.
The panel is due to meet for the first time on Oct 19 and aims to prepare recommendations for an early law revision.
Japan’s National Police Agency said on October 15 that it would set up an expert panel to consider GPS monitoring of stalking offenders.
The panel will discuss requirements for making offenders wear GPS devices.
The agency is also considering requiring treatment or counseling for some offenders.
The GPS system is envisaged as alerting victims when an offender approaches.
The panel will work on specific rules based on a new set of anti-stalking measures adopted by a government ministerial meeting in July.
- Who
- Japan’s National Police Agency and an expert panel it will set up.
- What
- The panel will discuss requirements for GPS devices for stalking offenders. The agency is also considering mandatory treatment or counseling for some offenders.
- When
- The agency announced the panel on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- To work out the details of new anti-stalking measures adopted by a government ministerial meeting.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A government ministerial meeting adopted new anti-stalking measures centered on GPS monitoring.
The National Police Agency announced it would set up an expert panel to discuss requirements for GPS devices.
- Announcing agency
- Japan’s National Police Agency
- Announcement date
- October 15, 2026
- GPS system
- Intended to alert victims when an offender approaches
- Additional measure under consideration
- Mandatory treatment or counseling for some offenders
- Policy basis
- Anti-stalking measures adopted by a government ministerial meeting in July