JapanWhat legal protections exist against neighbor stalking (stalker) in Japan?
Japan’s Anti-Stalking Law (Act No. 82 of 2000) criminalizes repeated, unwanted surveillance or contact—including by neighbors—and imposes penalties up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
What the Law Says
Japan has a dedicated legal framework to address stalking behavior, including harassment by neighbors. The Act on Punishment of Acts Related to Stalking (Stalking Regulation Act, Act No. 82 of 2000) was enacted in 2000 and amended multiple times—including major revisions in 2022—to broaden protections and close enforcement gaps.
The law defines stalking as repeated acts such as following, waiting near someone’s home or workplace, sending unsolicited messages, or monitoring via devices—regardless of relationship. Neighbor-specific conduct like prolonged loitering outside your apartment, unauthorized photography, or persistent doorbell ringing may qualify if done repeatedly and cause reasonable fear.
Under Article 2, 'stalking behavior' includes eight enumerated acts, and Article 3 makes first-time offenses punishable by up to 2 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥1 million. Repeat offenses within 5 years carry harsher penalties: up to 5 years’ imprisonment (Article 3, Paragraph 2).
The 2022 amendment expanded coverage to include cyber-stalking (e.g., GPS tracking, social media monitoring) and lowered evidentiary thresholds for police intervention. Courts may also issue restraining orders under Article 7, enforceable with up to 2 years’ imprisonment for violations.
Statutory TextA person who engages in stalking behavior against another person shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than two years or a fine of not more than one million yen.
— Stalking Regulation Act, Article 3, Paragraph 1
What to Do
Document every incident: date, time, location, description, and photos/video (ensure legality—no hidden cameras in private areas).
File a formal complaint at your local police station (kōban or keisatsu-sho); request a written record and ask about issuing a warning letter (keikoku-sho) under Article 6.
Apply for a court-issued restraining order (‘prohibition order’) under Article 7—free of charge and processable within days if danger is evident.
Contact your municipal government’s ‘Life Safety Division’ (Seikatsu Anzen-ka) or the national Stalking Consultation Center (toll-free: 0120-279-889) for multilingual support.
If threatened or assaulted, call 110 immediately; evidence such as messages, logs, or witness statements strengthens prosecution under Articles 3–4-2.
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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-11.