Only 5.6% of stalking perpetrators in Japan who were offered voluntary counseling actually attended the programs [1].
Low participation rates undermine efforts to prevent repeat offenses by addressing the behavioral roots of stalking. Because the programs are voluntary and require participants to pay their own fees, most offenders avoid the service despite police efforts to promote it.
Police departments across Japan began providing explanations about counseling to perpetrators in March 2024 [1]. According to the data, 3,271 individuals were given an explanation about the counseling services [1]. Of those, only 184 people actually attended the sessions [1].
This lack of engagement occurs as the number of stalking prohibition orders continues to rise. In 2024, 2,415 people received a prohibition order [1]. That number climbed to a record high of 3,037 people in 2025 [1].
TBS NEWS DIG caster Mitsuki Takayanagi said, "While counseling for stalking perpetrators is attracting attention for its effectiveness, there are also challenges."
The gap between the number of people receiving legal orders and those receiving psychological help suggests that legal prohibitions alone may not be sufficient to stop stalking behavior. The voluntary nature of the current system creates a barrier that prevents the vast majority of offenders from accessing rehabilitative care.
“Only 5.6% of stalking perpetrators in Japan who were offered voluntary counseling actually attended the programs.”
The data highlights a systemic failure in Japan's approach to stalking prevention, where legal deterrents—such as prohibition orders—are increasing, but rehabilitative uptake remains negligible. The reliance on voluntary, paid counseling means that the individuals most in need of behavioral intervention are the least likely to seek it, potentially increasing the risk of recidivism as the total number of offenders grows.
