Japan mulls over GPS tracking of stalkers to prevent further harm

Japan is taking urgent steps to combat stalking and enhance victim protection, compiling emergency countermeasures that could include equipping offenders with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices. The government is actively studying international precedents where such technology has been employed, particularly for tracking sex offenders, as part of its efforts to prevent further harm.

These proposed measures, submitted to a ministerial meeting on crime prevention, signal a significant potential shift in how stalking is addressed. Beyond GPS tracking, the government is exploring advancements in device miniaturization and considering amendments to the existing anti-stalking law. The core idea is to use GPS devices for individuals subject to restraining orders, with victims potentially being notified if a stalker comes within a certain proximity.

Discussions are ongoing to determine the scope of these measures, specifically whether the use of tracking devices should be limited to more dangerous cases. Stalking has become an increasingly prominent issue in Japan, evidenced by a record 3,037 restraining orders issued in 2025, the highest number since the current anti-stalking law was enacted in 2000. The proposed revisions may also mandate that stalkers undergo counseling.

The impetus for these intensified measures is underscored by recent tragic events, including the fatal stabbing of a woman in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district in March by her former partner. The suspect had been arrested in 2025 for stalking the victim, and a restraining order had been issued against him in January, highlighting the limitations of current protective measures.