Consider equipping malicious stalkers with GPS; counseling, treatment, and medical examinations also mandatory - National Police Agency establishes expert panel

In order to prevent serious cases such as murders caused by stalkers, the National Police Agency announced on the 15th that it will establish a panel of experts to consider the pros and cons of a new system that would equip malicious perpetrators with global positioning system (GPS) devices to prevent them from coming into contact with victims. The meeting also discussed whether to require perpetrators to undergo counseling and treatment. The first meeting will be held on the 19th.

Ministry of Justice to trial use of GPS on parole for sex crimes, assuming consent

The conference was attended by eight people, including university professors, lawyers, and counseling experts who are knowledgeable about the Constitution and criminal policy. The bereaved family of a stalker-murder case that occurred in Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 2012 will also serve on the committee.

One possible use of GPS would be to attach a device to a perpetrator who does not comply with an injunction prohibiting stalking, etc. under the Stalking Control Act, and issue a warning if the device is detected approaching the victim. According to the agency, in Spain and Germany there is a system in which police monitor stalkers and perpetrators of domestic violence (DV) and take action if they get close to the victim. In South Korea, which began equipping stalkers with GPS in 2023, there have been no murders involving stalkers.