The number of stalking cases reported to police in 2013 exceeded 20,000 for the first time, reaching a record high 21,089?a 5.9% increase over 2012, the National Police Agency said.
The NPA attributed the increase to more proactive approach by police following some high-profile murders over stalking as well as a new law enacted last July that included emails in the range of stalker activities, which resulted in 43 arrests, Fuji TV reported.
I ? Word Understanding
Proactive ? preparing for possible problem
Enacted ? to become
II ? Have Your Say
1. About 90% of stalking complainants are women and 60% of the perpetrators involved are either former spouses or romantic partners.
2. Japan has a conviction rate of more than 99%. But in recent months there has been a public outcry
over a number of wrongful arrests where innocent people confessed to crimes.
