NTT DoCoMo Inc. on Friday became the first mobile phone company to automatically ban customers under 18 from accessing suspicious Internet dating sites as the government attempts to crack down on "deaikei" (encounter) crimes.

The move, to be followed by the other major cell phone carriers, was requested by the communications ministry in December 2007.

"More than 90 percent of crimes related to 'encounter' sites involving minors have involved access via cell phone, according to police findings, so we feel this is a serious issue that must be addressed," a ministry spokesman said.