Democracy Dies in Darkness

Japan Begins to Accept Stalking Is a Problem

New Law Lets Police Act on Threats

By

TOKYO -- Akiko Kobayakawa endured three years of living hell when a male stalker called her as many as 50 times a day, followed her relentlessly, hit her, broke windows and threatened to burn down her office.

Police ignored the businesswoman's pleas, arguing that no laws were broken and the matter was a private dispute. Terrified, Kobayakawa finally found a security firm to chase the man away.

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