GPS Tracking for Stalkers to be Discussed by Expert Panel for National Police Agency
As part of efforts to combat stalking, the National Police Agency will launch an expert panel to explore the introduction of measures requiring certain dangerous perpetrators to wear Global Positioning System, or GPS, devices that alert victims when the perpetrator approaches, the agency announced on Thursday.
The National Police Agency in Japan is establishing an expert panel to discuss the potential implementation of GPS tracking devices for certain dangerous perpetrators involved in stalking incidents. This move aims to enhance protection for victims and prevent severe outcomes.
The expert panel, comprising eight members, will include perspectives from various fields such as victims' families, constitutional and criminal law experts, psychiatrists and psychologists, and lawyers specializing in victim support. Their primary task will be to evaluate the design of the tracking system, including the criteria for requiring offenders to wear GPS devices and the distance at which victims should receive alerts when an offender approaches.
Stalking incidents in Japan have been on the rise, with 22,881 consultations related to stalking-related cases last year, a significant increase of 3,314 cases compared to the previous year. In response, prefectural police forces issued a record 3,037 prohibition orders against stalking and other harassing behaviors, marking a 622-case increase from the prior year.
However, even with these measures in place, serious incidents continue to occur. In March, a female clerk was fatally stabbed at a Pokémon Center in Tokyo by her former boyfriend, who had previously been subject to a prohibition order. Despite his arrest and conviction, he refused medical treatment or counseling. Following an emergency meeting on crime prevention, the government has now prioritized the early adoption of GPS tracking systems for offenders who defy punishments and prohibition orders.
South Korea implemented a GPS alert system in 2023, where stalkers wear an ankle monitor that notifies victims via smartphone if the offender comes within a 2-kilometer radius. A survey conducted by South Korea's Justice Ministry revealed no serious incidents involving offenders equipped with GPS devices as of June.
Similar GPS tracking systems are also employed in Spain and the German state of Hesse. The expert panel will study these systems to draw inspiration for their own recommendations. Additionally, the panel will explore the necessity of mandating treatment and counseling for certain offenders to prevent the escalation of their behavior.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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