The Japanese government is researching the use of GPS tracking devices for stalking offenders to strengthen public safety measures [1].
This initiative represents a shift in how Japan manages stalking crimes, moving toward active electronic surveillance to prevent violent escalations and protect victims in real time.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said Thursday that the National Police Agency and other relevant ministries will research measures to enhance stalking countermeasures, including requiring offenders to wear GPS devices [1]. This follows a statement from Prime Minister Takaichi on May 27, who said the government would consider creating an effective system to protect victims [2].
The proposal seeks to balance the urgent need for victim safety with the individual rights guaranteed by the constitution [4]. While the government focuses on the effectiveness of the mechanism, some critics suggest the primary value of GPS tracking is not as a deterrent for the offender, but as a critical safety tool for the victim [3].
Japan is looking at these measures as the country evaluates the effectiveness of existing laws. In a regional comparison, data from 2025 indicates that the acceptance rate for GPS devices used for stalking prevention in South Korea was 37% [5].
Prime Minister Takaichi said the administration is committed to establishing a framework that provides tangible protection for those targeted by stalkers [2]. Kihara said the research phase would involve coordinating across multiple government agencies to determine the legal and technical feasibility of the rollout [1].
“The government will research measures to enhance stalking countermeasures, including requiring offenders to wear GPS devices.”
The move toward GPS monitoring indicates a transition in Japanese law enforcement from reactive policing to proactive surveillance of high-risk offenders. By referencing similar systems used in South Korea, the Japanese government is signaling a willingness to adopt more intrusive monitoring technologies if they can be legally reconciled with constitutional privacy protections.
