According to a report by the National Police Agency, the number of stalking cases detected by police across Japan reached a record high of 3,718 last year, marking an increase of 20% from the previous year. This is the largest number of cases recorded since the enforcement of the Stalking Regulation Law in 2000. The report also highlights that the number of arrests for violations of the Stalking Regulation Law has continued to rise for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 1,546. In addition, consultations regarding stalking cases rose by 17% to 22,881, indicating a growing concern about this issue.

The report follows a high-profile case in September, where a woman who had reported stalking was tragically murdered, leading to disciplinary actions against 42 officials of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police due to inadequate handling of the case. In response to these incidents, the National Police Agency has instructed police departments nationwide to ensure that all stalking cases are formally reported to senior management, thus reinforcing the handling of stalking incidents throughout the country.

Additionally, the report sheds light on the rising prevalence of domestic violence, with consultations reaching a record 98,289, up 3,352 cases from the previous year. While the number of arrests related to domestic violence saw a decrease to 8,445, the overall issue remains critical. Child abuse reports remained notably high with 122,588 notifications made last year, the second-highest on record, with psychological abuse being the most prevalent form noted.