TOKYO, Japan: The number of stalking cases handled by police in Japan in 2025 hit the highest level since the anti-stalking law took effect in 2000, Jiji Press reported, citing National Police Agency data on Thursday.
The figure rose by 205 from the previous year to 1,546. Other violations linked to stalking, such as illegal entry into homes, also jumped by 428 to 2,171.
The number of restraining orders to stop stalking and similar acts topped 3,000 for the first time.
Last year, police received 22,881 consultations on stalking from victims and others, up by 3,314.
The number of restraining orders issued grew by 622 to 3,037. Of these, about 60 per cent were emergency orders, which are given without holding hearings for perpetrators. Police handled 244 violations of the orders.
Warnings issued by police to stalkers increased by 98 to 1,577.
The figure rose for the first time in five years, although it had been declining from a spike after the country switched to allowing police to issue an emergency order before a warning. – BERNAMA-JIJI PRESS
