The number of reported stalking cases rose 8.2 percent last year to a total of 22,823, an increase for the third consecutive year, according to the National Police Agency. That means on average over 60 Japanese women are being stalked every day. Many of those women — stalking victims are 90 percent women — will suffer physical or sexual violence, besides suffering the intimidation and fear stalkers intend to implant.

The police have taken more action against stalkers than in the past, but much more action is still needed. The police said they issued nearly 30 percent more warnings last year, and issued 45 percent more orders to cease stalking. The number of cases referred to prosecutors reached an all-time high of 2,473, a figure that is only 10 percent of the total number of cases reported to the police.

Because stalking cases can quickly escalate, more prosecutions would help stop the worst cases. Among those cases handled by prosecutors were five murder and nine attempted murder cases, 465 blackmail attempts and 309 break-ins.