The Japanese government is considering a law amendment that would require malicious stalkers to wear GPS tracking devices [1].
This measure aims to prevent violent crimes and protect victims of severe stalking by providing real-time location data. The proposal follows a March 2026 murder at a commercial facility in Toshima Ward, Tokyo [1].
The Liberal Democratic Party’s Security, Terrorism and Cybercrime Committee submitted the proposal in May 2026 [1, 3]. Under the proposed system, victims would receive notifications via an app when a perpetrator approaches their location [2].
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the government is working toward creating a new, effective mechanism to protect victims [1]. The proposed system is modeled after a mandatory GPS ankle-bracelet system introduced in South Korea in 2023 [4].
However, the proposal has faced scrutiny from experts. During a televised discussion on June 11, 2026, some critics said the government should prioritize mandatory counseling and medical treatment to address the root causes of stalking before implementing tracking technology [2].
According to Jung Kyung-jin, head of the Location Tracking Daehan Control Center, the technology allows victims to confirm the perpetrator's location information through an application as they approach [2]. The government continues to evaluate the balance between immediate surveillance and long-term psychiatric intervention to ensure victim safety.
“The proposed system is modeled after a mandatory GPS ankle-bracelet system introduced in South Korea in 2023”
The move signals a shift toward more aggressive electronic monitoring in Japan's legal system to combat domestic and interpersonal violence. By adopting a model similar to South Korea's, Japan is prioritizing immediate physical deterrence and victim awareness over traditional rehabilitative approaches, reflecting a growing urgency to prevent high-profile stalking fatalities in urban centers.
