The number of consultations regarding stalker damage reported to police nationwide remains high. According to a survey by the National Police Agency, the number of consultations in 2025 rose by 16.9% year-on-year to 22,881, exceeding 20,000 for the first time in 5 years since 2020. The number of prohibition orders issued against perpetrators reached 3,037 (up 25.8% year-on-year), setting a record high along with crackdowns under the Stalker Control Law (1,546 cases, up 15.3% year-on-year).
〜によると= according to ~ (indicates the source of information)
The Stalker Control Law is a legislation enacted in response to the 'Okegawa Stalker Murder Case' that occurred in Saitama Prefecture in 2000, taking administrative action upon request from victims. Warnings issued in 2025 numbered 1,577 (up 6.6% year-on-year). Furthermore, crackdowns under the Penal Code and other special laws rose 24.6% year-on-year to 2,171 cases, surpassing 2,000 for the first time to reach an all-time high. By charge type, residential intrusion (437 cases) was the most frequent, followed by intimidation (292 cases), assault (159 cases), bodily injury (153 cases), and non-consensual sexual conduct (146 cases), with 2 cases of murder and 14 cases of attempted murder.
Women accounted for 86.9% of victims, with age groups concentrated in their 10s to 40s. Perpetrators were 80.1% male, 12.3% female, and 7.6% unknown, with many in their 20s to 50s. Regarding the relationship between victim and perpetrator, dating partners and former dating partners accounted for about 40%, followed by acquaintances/friends and workplace colleagues/work-related connections.
〜を占める= to account for ~ or make up ~ (a percentage)
Learning Notes
Grammar Patterns
Pattern
Meaning
〜によると
according to ~ (indicates the source of information)
〜をきっかけに
taking ~ as an opportunity or trigger
〜を占める
to account for ~ or make up ~ (a percentage)
Vocabulary
Word
Reading
Level
Meaning
突破
とっぱ
N1
breaking through;breakthrough;penetration
高止まり
たかどまり
continuing at a high level;remaining high
摘発
てきはつ
exposing;unmasking;laying bare
交際相手
こうさいあいて
person one is dating;significant other;partner;boyfriend;girlfriend
Language Insights
•The 'Okegawa Stalker Murder Case' of 1999–2000 was a landmark incident in Japan that led directly to the enactment of the Stalker Control Law (ストーカー規制法) in 2000.
•In legal contexts, 摘発 (てきはつ) specifically refers to police exposure or cracking down on illegal activities, whereas 警告 (けいこく) refers to official administrative warnings issued prior to criminal prosecution.